The Backstreet Boys were the first of the boy bands of the late '90s/early 2000s to make it big. Their catalog consists of only three previous albums, so it does seem a big premature to have a hits collection out, but apparently the third release didn't perform to expectations, so a hits set was rush released with only one new song.

Even if it seems like a last gasp for success, this CD is a great summation of the group's work up to this point. It provides proof that the group wasn't just the best of their breed (boy bands, that is), but that their best moments transcend the the recent bugglegum pop music boom.

"I Want It That Way," "As Long As You Love Me," and "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)," are lovely, timeless pop ballads, featuring great vocal performances. The dance numbers, like "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" and "Larger Than Life," are clearly a product of modern music, but offer infectious rhythms that even early Bandstanders can dance to.

If most of the rest of the singles on this 13-track collection aren't quite as good as those afforementioned tunes (the midtempo "Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely" also certainly ranks with the Boys' best), they nevertheless are well-crafted. That the new single "Drowning" is the weakest track on the set may not bode well for the future however. But regardless of what the future holds for this group, this retrospective provides a strong look at what was popular in pop music around the turn of the century.

each and every one of these songs deserve infinity stars so here's the lowdown on each one :
1. i want it that way - amazing song, if you haven't heard i don't know what to tell ya! beautiful song!
2. everybody (backstreet'sback) - "backstreet's back alright" is correct! i luv this song, i ALWAYS get up and dance EVERY time i hear it!
3. as long as you love me - my lordy, it's my fave BSB song of all time. i could listen to it 24/7/365
4. show me the meaning of being lonely - so beautiful, the video always makes me cry
5. quit playing games (with my heart) - i ALWAYS clap my hands to the beat to this song i love it!
6. all i have to give - soo sooo good! all the guys sing solos in it. the video is a classic
7. larger than life - my anthem! our anthem! fans luv it! i luv it! it's all about US baby!
8. i'll never break your heart - (which i am listening to at the moment) made me cry at their concert! the only song that made me cry at their conert. now that tells you something
9. the call - "hello" this song rocks! way different for BSB! i luv it "gotta go"
10. shape of my heart - almost bawled first time i heard it. i sing this around school all the time still
11. the one - gotta love it! this song is upbeat and a great song to sing along to
12. more than that - there almost ain't nuttin better than this one. incredibly gorgeous
13. drowning - "you got me drowning" in this song haven't been able to stop singing it or listening to it since i first heard it
go buy this must have for ANY FAN luv BSB 4eva!!!

...BSBs THE HITS-CHAPTER ONE delivers. It includes all hits and no filler. Sure some of these songs have been played over and over but they're still great pop songs. The Backstreet Boys have really put out some great quality pop music over their first ...few albums. All of their best songs are captured here on this great CD!

The timeless "I want it that way", which is still one of my favorite songs. Also "quit playing games (with my heart)", "all I have to give", and "shape of my heart" are all great. This collection also includes the new track "drowning." I like it. It's very BSB except the intro sounds like O-town's "all or nothing." THE HITS also includes the radio version of "more than that."

This is a really awesome CD. BSB fan or not, you'll like it.

I am a fan of good music. I listen to anything from Beatles to DMX and everything in between. So far only one group have really captivate me and that group (suprisingly enough) is the Backstreet Boys. These guys can really sing. They each have their own unique voice unlike any other groups out there, and their songs are just so ... beautiful (at least to me). The Hit Chapter 1 is a combo of all their hit singles in one CD(which I believe is a great idea), allow people to own the most well known songs from all the other CDs without having to spend more money on songs they don't like. Their newest single, Drowning, is by far the best song I've heard since Yesterday(from the Beatles) was released. They are by far the best music act out there today. Even if you don't like their songs or the image they represent, you should atleast try to understand and respect them for the hard work and dedication that they have given to all their fans all over the world. It might be hard for some people to understand, but I believe that with the release of Chpt.1, the future of Chpt.2 is as bright as sun shine.

What can one say when trying to express the immense vocal talents of the Backstreet Boys? To say the least, any Backstreet fan that flips from CD to CD to CD will definitely enjoy this album since it contains all twelve of the Boys singles from the past five years.

Personally, I would have loved it even more if they had included some of the awesome remixes of these songs, or the very rare and hard to find spanish versions of some of the ballads. However, this is just my personal opinion, and I still think that the album is great just the way it is. I love that I can hear some of my favorite BSB songs from different albums all on one title, very useful since I don't have a CD burner.

The new song, "Drowning", had the same effect on me as when I heard "Shape of My Heart" for the first time. I thought that it was the best song from BSB that I have ever heard. Vocally, their performances are perfect, and each of the guys have sufficient solos, unlike rivals *N Sync who leave the singing to the two most popular. The music is so moving, and perfectly supports the levels and passion in their voices.

Most would say that it's just another sappy BSB love ballad, and that they're all the same, but I say that those are the ones who don't understand what a powerful ballad is. It's not always about the lyrics, you can have the cheesiest lyrics in the world (which trust me, these aren't) and it wouldn't matter as long as the artists singing them put their everything into them and make the song believable. The Backstreet Boys have done this with every ballad I have ever heard them sing, with truth, honesty, and passion. When I hear the song "Drowning", I can imagine Brian in the studio singing this with his wife in mind, the same with Kevin. They make the song real because you can hear the truth in the words when they sing. With Nick, Howie, and AJ, you can also tell that they are thinking of someone very special to them, be it a best friend, family member, or girlfriend. Someone is inspiring them, someone drives them to sing their songs as honestly as possible.

Honesty has always been a big part of who the Backstreet Boys are, they have never lied to their fans or to themselves, and I think that 'Chapter One' is more like a short prologue of what is coming in the near future. As far as I'm concerned, this is really only just the beginning, and Backstreet will be around for a while. If it ain't broke, don't fix it; they'll evolve and experiment with their music more when they feel the need or desire. Until then, I'm more impressed with their ability to evolve as people without ever having to compromise their beliefs or themselves.