Unfolding Souls Fiction

So, instead of ordering it from Amazon like I was going to, I went over to Target yesterday and purchased the bonus CD there for $9.99.  It was $17.99 on Amazon and the only difference was that "Helpless" was on that CD.

Anyway, I've listened to it a couple of times and I'm not sure what to think.  There isn't really a song on the CD that I absolutely love but my two favorites are "Straight Through My Heart" and "Bigger" - the first two cuts.  Those both are classic BSB tunes, the rest of the album is a little too commercial, over-produced and R&B for me.  I mean, I don't hate any of the songs and most of them are okay or I like them, it's just that I'm a little disappointed I guess.  I felt like they were trying to be so mainstream like JT or Timbaland, Florida and other R&B/HipHop/Rap groups which is cool for some of the songs but when most of them are like that, it gets old for me.  I wish there were more songs like "Straight Through My Heart" and where the hell are their classic ballads? I mean, I'm an upbeat kind of girl but I like a BSB ballad thrown in there for good measure and there wasn't one! Ballads are what show off BSB's beautiful melodic voices.

I think I'm missing 2005's "Never Gone", the last CD with Kevin and the pop acoustic style but it looks like they won't be going back to that and for me it's a pity.  I just feel like "This Is Us" doesn't have the wow factor like Millenium or Black & Blue had with songs like Larger Than Life, I Want It That Way, Everybody (Backstreet's Back), As Long As You Love Me, etc.  I know artists and music evolve and that's what obviously has happened here but for me, it's just not the same.

Oh and the other thing -- two of my favorite songs, "Hallogram" (the Chris Brown cover) and "Out of My Head" are not on the US release.  I'm hoping to order the imports to get those songs.  It always seems the way that the songs I love do not make it on the CDs, or end up on the imports or the ones that do, they don't release as singles or sing at the shows.  I don't get that.   I should be their manager, ha ha.

Anyway, like I've said, I have only listened to the CD twice so once I listen to it more, I'll get a better feel for it.  I still love these guys and will back them no matter what.  Oh and I just have to mention that I absolutely love the CD cover and insert photos.  Nick looks so hot but so do the other guys.  They did a great job with the artwork, clothing, photography, etc.

I'm going to open a forum topic in case you guys want to share you opinion on the album.