04.15.04: Backstreet Boys Nick Carter,
Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean and Kevin Richardson are back
in the recording studio and super producer Harvey Mason, Jr. reports
the new album will be "Their reintroduction to their fans" --not a
farewell, as has been rumored
Says Mason, "Their concern is that "People haven't heard from us in
awhile...we seperated, we came back together and now we really want to
make a statement.""
The group, which hasn't released an album since "Black and Blue" in
2000, has gone through its share of sturm and drang, including the
lawsuit filed in 2002 against its record label for allegedly shunting
the group aside while promoting Carter's solo album, "Now or
Never." But now Mason says, "They're in great spirits.
They're all cooperating and having a great time. Everyone is
involved in all that's going on and they're really professional."
Mason--who is one half of the hit-making producing team known as The
Underdogs with his partner Damon Thomas (they're behind numerous top 10
hits for the likes of Brandy, Jennifer Lopez and Luther Vandross, as
well as American Idol Ruben Studdard's "Sorry 2004") - says The
Backstreet Boys will be coming out "with something a little bit
different" for the new CD.
"It'll be harder-edged with more of a R&B influence. The
way they sing is always going to be consistent, but they've grown
up. Nick started when he was 13 and now he's 25. They've
done a lot of things since then. Soft, pop music is not prevalent
any more and they know they have got to compete with what's going on
the radio." He adds the Boys have written a lot of their new
material. "They're going above and beyond to set a new
standard...and that's exciting." If all goes as planned, the new
Backstreet Boys album will be out before year's end.