Nanny

Solo projects are often a sign that the band is kaput.

'N Sync and the Backstreet Boys haven't announced any intent to call it a day. But the writing is on the wall. Teen pop peaked in 2000, and sales of the two groups' latest CDs did not match those of previous releases. The members of 'N Sync are dabbling in theater, film projects and astronaut training, while the Backstreet Boys have expanded into real estate and other business ventures. That leaves 'N Sync's Justin Timberlake and Backstreet Boy Nick Carter -- the two de facto front men -- with time on their hands and a drive still unfulfilled. These solo discs will surely help track the afterlife prospects of a (slightly) faded teen-pop star.

Carter may have a future fronting an '80s metal-pop band. "Now or Never" veers into rock in the style of latter-day Def Leppard. The result is surprisingly good.

Timberlake's head is in the '80s, too: On "Justified," he does an impersonation of "Thriller"-era Michael Jackson that would be impressive if it weren't so icky.

"Justified" tries so hard, it chafes. After an intro -- "Justin, all the way from Memphis, Tenn., and he got something special for you all tonight" -- Timberlake starts singing about a girl with brown eyes on "Senorita." His voice, all velvet lilt, is a ringer for Jackson's. When not doing the street MJ, he does the MJ falsetto; on "Like I Love You," his immature-sounding Michael Jackson voice brings chills -- the bad kind.

His biggest contributors are production wizards from the Neptunes, Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams. Timbaland shows up with protege Bubba Sparxxx, who raps on "Right for Me," while Brian McKnight guests on the drippy ballad "Never Again." Janet Jackson, a rumored paramour of Timberlake's, shows up on "(And She Said) Take Me Now," but her background vocals can hardly be heard. No matter -- just having her on board counts.

Carter's "Now or Never" is less freakish and more likable. He's not trying out a new personality -- he's just trying out some rock stuff, and he does a fine job. Def Leppard can be heard in "My Confession" and "Girls in the USA." But "Heart Without a Home (I'll Be Yours)," with its warbling two-part harmonies, could be a Bon Jovi song.

'Justified'
TWO STARS out of 4 stars

'Now or Never'
THREE STARS out of 4 stars


by Teresa Gubbins
Dallas Morning News
http://www.freep.com/entertainment/m...0_20021110.htm
November 10, 2002

Suzie

I don't understand how/why people keep comparing Nick and Justin...

yes they both were at one point the cutesy young boys in a corny pop boy band

but their solo album are completely different styles *from what I've heard at least, i've only heard like 2 songs off of Now Or Never and that's enough for me* - but seriously.....comparing Nick and Justin is like comparing Michelle Branch and Britney...it just doesn't work!

Errick

Exactly, Suzie. The comparison is just like that of Christina and Britney.

I personally like Justin's better. Not saying I'm not into rock and stuff like that - hell, I'm aspiring to be an excellent guitar player (heh, yea right) and I am not feelin' it. It's too much like BSB's older work. The pop shit is out. Although, it may have an rock flare, it just doesn't show up that much like he meant it, too.

Justin's shows the R&B side. It is an awesome album if you put the whole "I hate Justin" thing down and listen to the music for what it is.

I admit I do like a couple of songs off of Nick's album. The slower ones, I quickly skipped. I guess I could give him another try...eh.

__________________
I miss the sound of your voice.

Suzie

*hugs Errick*

do you know that you're brilliant?

hehe i agree 100% - i always trying and forget whatever bias i have for or against an artist and just listen to the music before i decide whether i like it or not

Errick

*hugs back*

Nope, I can honestly say I know I'm not. I know one thing - I'm lazy as fuck.

I always do that. No matter whom it may be. Unless, I just don't listen to it. [heh]

__________________
I miss the sound of your voice.

Nanny

You just answered your own question. The fact that these two were the "it guys" from the two leading boy bands, their status as a member of the respective boy bands will haunt them until the day they die. And as long as Justin decides to release his solo album a week after Nick's its inevitable that comparisons will be made. If Justin would have waited maybe two or three months, comparisons would still be there, but they would be few and far between... well, at least as opposed to now. And since there is obviously people in this world that are BSB fans, and others that are NSync fans, there will always be the battle between them. And its those NSync or BSB haters that want to read these comparison articles.

And it really didn't help things when the Britney/Nick rumor started making its rounds.