98 Degrees - Revelation

List Price: $18.98
Our Price: $1.90
You Save: $17.08 (90%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details

CD Details

Music reviews of Revelation

Music Review: Revelation - evident progress from last album
Rating: 5 Stars

Sonically, much of the acoustic music heard on previous albums, have been superseded by the updated sounds of synthesizers, electronic effects and urban rhythms. Musically, 98 Degrees has gone a step ahead, in co-writing the lyrics of their songs. In the visuals, they have spruced up their image as well, judging from the sleek photo shoots on the album. The CD itself, is also one that's "enhanced" - meaning you can watch videos on the CD-ROM drive of your computer. One thing, however, that still remains intact is that impeccable harmony of the group and those love songs.

In the types of songs, there are actually as many uptempo tracks as there are ballads here. The music of the ballads in this album also sound more full-bodied than those of the previous albums. As for the uptempo tracks, they tend to sound like what Nsync might be using. (So if you into the fast music of Nsync, this album is definitely worth considering.)

In short, the album with its varied fast and slow songs, has an overall theme of diversity.

Below are my thoughts on the indivdual tracks:

Track 1- "Give Me Just One Night" is not particularly everlasting on the ear. In fact, the intro music actually sounds boring after repeated hearings. The actual song is not heavy latin music, just moderately fast,energetic and carnival sounding. One good point about the music - the guitar motif at the chorus added much color to the song. (7/10)

Track 2- "The Way You Want Me To" is very fast and has strong bass beats. Nick Lachley even appeared to have slight difficulty in keeping up with the pace. But nevertheless, it was a clever arrangement of the tracks to put this fast song right after "Give Me Just One Night". It almost leaves the listener "short of breath" to be hit by a fast song after another.(8/10)

Track 3- "Stay The Night" - The first ballad, smooth and almost sweet, has a beautiful melody. Great harmony vocals make up the chorus, hearing it provides testament to just how fabulous 98 Degrees can sound. Hear for the end, when Jeff sings "Don't wanna go now" and it bounces to and fro the left and right stereo speakers - definitely makes the song more pretty.(8.5/10)

Track 4- "Yesterday's Letter" - The sentimental piano intro instantly sets the mood for the whole song - melancholy. The lyrics in the chorus "my heart still beats for you, breathes for you..." are distinct and effective for conveying lovelorn feelings. This is well complemented by a strong chorus melody but sadly flawed by weak melody in the verses. (7.5/10)

Track 5- "He'll Never Be" - How often do you get majestic drum rolls in a pop song? This vigorous, grand song is laden with it, along with some spectacular bass notes. Just hearing the various funky musical sounds in the chorus is enough to impress. The song sounds like what Nsync might use.(8.5/10)

Track 6- "I'll Give It All" - A good acapella song, but the vocal arrangement was not as gorgeous as "She's Out Of my Life" in the album "98 Degrees and Rising". (7.5/10)

Track 7- "My Everything" - Track 6 slips into Track 7 so smoothly that track 6 and track 7 together should be one single track. "My Everything" is a formulaic ballad. Its melody line is almost predictable. Perhaps the song was too standard-sounding that it becomes much of a forgettable track, leaving not much of an impression. The first line of of the chorus reminds me of Celine Dion/R.Kelly's "I'm your angel". (7.5/10)

Track 8 - "You Should Be Mine" - Seldom does Justin sound so prominently as in the intro of this upbeat, hip-hop song. The chorus is catchy. The song is also a success with its usage of electronic effects on the human vocals.(8/10)

Track 9 - "You Don't Know" - The intro music is bitter-sweet,beautiful. The transition between the verses and the chorus was a bit weak - could have improved on the melody structure. Overall, it was still a touching song.(8/10)

Track 10 - "Dizzy" - This is full-fledged hip-hop, where Nick Lachey does some rapping. And yes, one does get dizzy listening to the hynoptic chorus. The song is also another successful use of electronic effects. (8.5/10)

Track 11 - "The Way You Do" - I love this song. It is incredibly sweet and romantic. Jeff doing the first verse wasn't a great choice though, he came across as a bit flat-sounding. Nick, could have been better with his more expressive vocals.(8.5/10)

Track 12 - "Always You And I" - As if to overcoat the listener with sugar, "Always You And I" is yet another sweet, romantic song. Notice the song uses the same guitar music as the intro and the end - just adds to the charm. (8.5/10)

Track 13 - "Never Giving Up" - A suprise. Delicate, sweeping harp notes in the intro led me to expect a soulful ballad ahead. Suddenly, the atmosphere switches readily, and next I'm plunged into a fast song. The music combination of orchestra strings and synthesizer sounds worked well. However, the vocals were rather weak in this song, as such the song did not quite suit 98 Degrees.A climax was lacking in the song too.(7/10)

VERDICT: Good album overall - tracks are well-produced, the music is also rich not forgetting the wholesome harmonies of 98 Degrees. Should appeal to the general pop music fan. .

Description of Revelation

Pop CDs

• Music > Styles
• R&B
• Rock