I've been a fan of their music since I was in highschool (alnost 6 years ago now) I have to admit that I was a bit skepical, being that they were out of the music scene so long. But I was glad that I bought the cd. I love it! I highly reccomend it for those of us that have been with them all along or new comers! A great collection of songs!

To be perfectly honest, six months ago, I could have cared less about the Backstreet Boys. Now, I'm a huge fan! I started in the beginning, with their classic debut album (U.S. version, though, since the non-U.S. version is difficult to scare up), and progressed chronologically, spurred on by my helpful and excited roommate. She'd been into the Backstreet Boys when she was in elementary school (I had been an *NYSNC girl. . .but I switched teams after only a few weeks of the BSB), and welcomed the chance to be dorky and nostalgic with her novice roommate. When we parted ways for home during the summer, I decided to check out "Unbreakable" from the library, even if it didn't have Kevin Richardson (who is my favorite, still), and even if their last big hit was on "Millennium," and God knows how long ago THAT was. I was in elementary school! But, the album was so great! I loved it! The Boys were still top-notch after all these years, and their talent and skill knowns no bounds, apparently. There are so many awesome things about the Boys, whether it's Brian's range, a solo by Howie, a fantastic lead by A.J., or a song that actually suits Nick's voice. Each song has something special and unique to offer, even "Inconsolable" and the vaguely familiar follow-up song "Something I Already Know". And, this album has the highest percent of songs I like. On most of the other albums, I typically liked about half the songs. There were the really, really good songs like "Everyone," "Get Another Boyfriend," "Get Down (You're the One For Me)," and the classic hits, but there were also plenty of songs like "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" (awful) and "I Need You Tonight" (doubly awful. . .Nick should not sing slow, romantic ballads). On this album, I only don't particularly care for "Trouble Is" and "You Can Let Go". All the other ones, I practically adore. Another thing that is nice other than the catchy melodies, fun pop soundtrack stereotypes, and high-quality singing, is the fact that the Boys even wrote and co-wrote a bunch of the songs. While before I loved them and was loyal no matter what, I now have a new respect for the BSB. For me, a group can only be called great when they do more than dance and look pretty. With this album, the Backstreet Boys are back and better than ever, proving once again that they are a quality act.

Since it's obvious that it wouldn't make sense for *NSYNC to get back together (if you don't know why, then you've been living under a rock for the last three years), maybe that's why Backstreet Boys decided to release another album; or maybe it's because that I'm the only person that heard Brian Littrell's solo album Welcome Home (which IS good, by the way). Whatever the case, the guys come back at us with Unbreakable.

One difference with this album is that Kevin Richardson is gone. And that's really noticeable too because he did a lot of the lead singing -- well...he produced a lot of the songs -- um...he WROTE a lot of the songs -- uh...gee, I guess he really DIDN'T do much, did he? Oh, well; Brian, Howie, Nick and A.J. still soldier on as a foursome. But I was a little skeptical to pick up this album because they sounded pretty terrible when they performed "Inconsolable" on the Tonight Show a few weeks ago (well, Nick and Howie sounded all right). Thankfully, their voices do sound fine here -- especially Brian's, who was virtually invisible on their last "comeback" album, Never Gone.

Speaking of Never Gone, though, I have the same problem with this album that I had with THAT album, only more so: almost every song on here is about heartbreak, and even songs that don't appear to be going in that direction end up doing so after all, like "Trouble Is" and especially "Helpless When She Smiles". All this coins the title "Something That I Already Know", but another thing that drives the point of that song home is that it sounds almost identical to "Inconsolable", the very song that precedes it.

It's not that those songs are bad, but when not taken lightly, they just make things a little too depressing and monotonous. But things DO pick up with selections like "Unmistakable" and "Unsuspecting Sunday Afternoon". I'm sure BSB still have devoted fans (especially since this album debuted in the top 10), but I really don't think this will gain them any NEW fans, so really only buy Unbreakable to complete your Backstreet Boys collection.

Anthony Rupert

so this album isn't likely to appeal to everyone, but Backstreet fans of old will adore it. And anyone willing to give it a try might find that they actually like some of the songs. Its not groundbreaking, but its a good solid album from a band most people had already thrown to the wayside. They're still together which says alot since most of their type of group don't stick for this long. Even without Kevin, who unlike some think did provide a nice low voice, and his piano playing was beautiful but since I'm an AJ fan as long as he's still here I'm fine, his voice is still as strong and unique and as beautiful as ever, Brian's as pure and innocent, and Nick and Howie seem to be coming more into their own...
But as someone else already wrote, my big problem is the same problem I've ALWAYS had with their music, and with similar groups... Why does EVERYTHING have to be about relationships and heartbreak? They must do other things, think other thoughts... I know they don't write most of the music, but there must be some writers who write good music that's not about those things? I mean its just a thought... Why not a song about their dogs? Anything else would be refreshing...

I've been a fan of BSB for almost 10 years now and although within my ten years my music tastes have fluctuated a LOT (for example, I don't listen to a lot of pop anymore) there is still something very nostalgic and comforting with BSB's music. So if you've always had a liking for BSB, I don't see why you wouldn't now. Even though their last album, Never Gone, was very good, in my opinion Unbreakable is so far the best because it is most similar to their early days to the album Backstreet Boys. I love how the BSB always tries to improve but does not ever really change their music style. Though their original album has a lot of horrible oversynthesized pop sounds, it was still fun. Their last album, Never Gone, still poppy with a lot less of that synthesized stuff and more of a "raw" sound. Though their last album was soothing, I missed their fast upbeat songs! I thought they were famous for it and they didn't bring it! But for Unbreakable they brought it BACK with some of that synthesized poppy sounds but not as cheesy that it would make you feel 15.

Once again, a good blend of upbeat and slow songs with normally the same message...having love you can't have, missing somebody, hating somebody...all that can be deemed cheesy, but necessary and best of all comforting.

I do have one downer that I would rate a 4 but feel obligated to rate a 5:
You can tell the voice aspect of the music is not the same. No Kevin :( For the everyday non-BSB fan, you can't tell, but for me...I adore each of their voices and without that deep undertone to their music it's different. It seems like Nick (whose voice I think has matured so much) sings solo a lot more whereas Brian and AJ has to take over many areas where Kevin would.