It's nearly impossible for teen idols to make a credible comeback after they've matured, which is what makes
Jordan Knight's solo debut all the more fascinating.
Donnie Wahlberg may have been the bad boy in
New Kids on the Block, but
Knight was the star with the voice -- a falsetto that propelled ballads like "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)" to the top of the charts. Since he was, for most intents and purposes, the lead singer of
NKOTB, he had to work harder than most of his colleagues (again, with the exception of
Wahlberg) to separate himself from the group, and he works hard on
Jordan Knight. Teaming with a bevy of producers -- including full-time collaborator Robin Thicke, and
Jimmy Jam &
Terry Lewis --
Knight doesn't abandon the smooth urban soul stylings that made his reputation, but he updates it, borrowing from a number of contemporary sources to create a stylized, fresh sound. Even with the extra effort, the urban soul ballads sometimes blend together, but he shines on the uptempo numbers, such as the inspired weirdness of "Give It to You," which blends accordions, waltz breaks, and slammin' grooves in an irresistible fashion. Similarly, "A Different Party" makes
Sugarloaf's "Green-Eyed Lady" sound funky, and "Close My Eyes" recasts the opening guitar line of
Kansas' "Dust in the Wind" as part of an affecting ballad. In between the two extremes are Philly soul-inspired midtempo jams like "Finally Finding Out," which reveal
Knight as a master of his voice who can write a strong song, as well.
Jordan Knight is not a perfect album -- there's a little bit of filler that weighs down the second half of the record -- but the best moments are surprisingly strong, innovative, and assured: the kind of mainstream music that would be impressive regardless of the source, but it's all the more remarkable considering
Knight's teen pop heritage. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine