Disco de 98 Degrees: “Revelation [Import Bonus Track]”

Since I can't give 4 and a half stars, I rounded up to 5 :) This CD is certainly a polishing of the already smooth 98 style. The ballads, in comparison with their old albums are even better, while the pop songs on the album are entering N Sync territory, but they have that special rounded 98° sound. Besides what's wrong with N Sync's style? 2 Million record buyers can't be wrong. But on this album, the beautiful love songs, should get the most attention. The haunting "Yesterday's Letter" with it's soulful piano, the romantic "The Way You Do", the melancholy "You Don't Know," are all key examples of the songs that deserve a close listen. But why the half off? While I respect 98° for writing part of almost every song on this album, it definitely shows they've done their homework...in cheesy cliqued pop songwriter school. I was hoping they could rise above the 'you's and do's', and put meaning above an easy rhyme. Not always the case on this album. Also, I was disappointed with the lack of accapella on this album. The interlude "Give it All" is lovely, but only 40 seconds? Come on guys, treat us fans to an entire unaccompanied ditty! Still, those are minor imperfections, just listen to the gorgeous melodies and you'll be taken away to a land of pop perfection.

Wow! 98 Degrees's new CD, REVELATION, really blew me away! I couldn't believe how awesome and different this CD is in comparision to their 1998 album, 98 DEGREES AND RISING, (which I proudly own). People think that N'Sync's NO STRINGS ATTACHED album is the best album of the year...but 98 Degrees's REVELATION is soooo much better then NO STRINGS ATTACHED! (Of course, the Backstreet Boys' new album, BLACK AND BLUE, will probably be my new favorite once it comes out on sale, but REVELATION is my favorite album so far this year!)

98 Degrees has really grown up both as individuals and as a group. Their voices are really strong and amazing on this album. REVELATION was totally beyond my expectations! Nick is my favorite from 98 Degrees (but he's going out with Jessica Simpson so...?) Anyway, here's what I think of all the songs on this CD:

1.) "Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)" -- Probably my favorite song on this entire album. It's a great Latin/pop song with a good beat and a danceable tune. They're voices are awesome on this song.

2.) "The Way You Want Me To" -- I like the lyrics to this song. It's also another good upbeat and danceable song.

3.) "Stay The Night" -- A wonderful song. This song kinda reminds me of their song, "Because of You", (from their 98 DEGREES AND RISING album), especially the music and even the lyrics and the way they sing them, but still a very sweet song. Kinda romantic. Another one of my favorites.

4.) "Yesterday's Letter" -- A nice ballad. Not one of my favorites, though.

5.) "He'll Never Be...(What I Used To Be To You)" -- This is a really cool song. I love the beat and lyrics to it. It's a great party song and a song you can really dance to.

6.) "I'll Give It All" [Interlude] -- A very good song for an interlude. Not much to say here.

7.) "My Everything" -- One of my favorites. It's a really great song.

8.) "You Should Be Mine" -- I love this song, too. But it sounds kinda like the Backstreet Boys's song, "The One" (from their 1999 MILLENNIUM album). It even has the same kind of beat, lyrics, and the song is even sort of about that.

9.) "You don't Know" -- A really good song. Not much else to say here.

10.) "Dizzy" -- This song makes me dizzy. Just kidding! It's a really nice song...just don't be fooled by the title!

11.) "The Way You Do" -- Another great song...but not one of my favorites.

12.) "Always You And I" -- A very sweet song.

13.) "Never Giving Up" -- A pretty good song.

Over all, a very excellent album by an amazing singing group. A lot of people also underrate 98 Degrees because they think 98 Degrees is "just another boy band". But that's not true! 98 Degrees deserves credit, too! Just like every other band in the music industry, they've worked really hard to get to where they are today. REVELATION shows the true images of the guys, and shows their true selves. And they prove with this album that they are more than "just another boy band"! Check it out!

P.S.: If you like this album by 98 Degrees, then also check out the Backstreet Boys...you're sure to love them, too!!

I hope this review helps!

Its about time 98 Degrees change their name to 198 Degrees!! This album really show-cases their talent, sets them apart from others and establishes them as succesful artists. 98* totally turn around and get into hot, uptempos that make you want to get up and dance and believe me, I did!! I love the up-tempo "The Way You Want Me To". It really shows that they CAN sing up-tempo songs, not just ballads. They also add some latin flavor to their music by the hit "Una Noche." Of course, their ballads are still as soulful and romantic as they were before. I recommend you to listen to "My Everything", I song that Nick Lachey wrote for his girlfriend Jessica Simpson. It is the most LOVELY song ever! I cried when I first listened to it. Overall, this is a MUST GET! Its steaming hot!

Obviously from the title of my review, you can tell I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS CD! 98 Degrees is my second favorite, so-called 'boy band' (BSB are my fave!). Here is why 'Revelation' made my 'Top Five Favorite CDs' list (I have TONS of CDs! On my list, Amy Grant's 'House of Love' is at #1 and has been for a while and BSB'S 'Millennium' made #2):

1. 'Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)'-mixed emotions about this song. Sometimes, I listen to it, sometimes I skip it. It depends what mood I'm in

2. 'The Way You Want Me To'-this is one of my favorite songs on this CD! It's not only because this song is so dancable but because of the music video for it! In the music video, it shows all four guys of 98 Degrees with their shirts off!...OMG! IT'S SO SEXY! I ALMOST HAD A HEARTATTACK LOOKING AT THOSE HOT, MUSCULAR BODS! Put the music video on and prepare to scream.

3. 'Stay the Night'-one of the MANY love songs on this CD! Everyone who reads my reviews knows that I'm in love with love songs! I think that's why I like BSB and 98 Degrees SO MUCH--they have SO MANY LOVE SONGS ON THEIR CDS THAT SATISFY ME! This song is SO BEAUTIFUL!

4. 'Yesterday's Letter'-again, another one of the MANY love songs on this CD! Again, another song that's SO BEAUTIFUL!

5. 'He'll Never Be...(What I Used To Be to You)'-girls, if you dump a guy and then soon after get another guy, don't be surprised if your ex dedicates this song to you. This song, along with 'Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)' and 'My Everything', got me tempted to buy this CD. This song is SO DANCABLE and SO MUCH FUN TO SING-ALONG TO!

6. 'I'll Give it All (Interlude)'-nice opening to 'My Everything'

7. 'My Everything'-this song is SO BEAUTIFUL! This song was beautifully written by Nich Lachey (my fave 98 Degrees member). Nick wrote this for Jessica Simpson! He did a wonderful job writing and singing it.

8. 'You Should Be Mine'-love the beat to this song! It's SO DANCABLE!

9. 'You Don't Know'-this song that has SO MUCH meaning to me! 'Right when I need you the most, you don't know'

10. 'Dizzy'-SO DANCABLE but I have mixed feelings about this song! Sometimes I listen to it--others, I skip it. It depends what mood I'm in.

11. 'The Way You Do'-my ultimate favorite love song out of all love songs! Knowing me, that's saying a LOT! This song is SO BEAUTIFUL, SO SOOTHING, SO EVERYTHING! THANK YOU 98 DEGREES!

12. 'Always You and I'-I love this song! 'I'll be the air you breathe/I'll give the strength that you need/I'll be the light in your eyes/When hope becomes hard to see/I'll be your shining star to guide you wherever you are/And I promise that I'll be by your side/Always you and I'

13. 'Never Giving Up'-I have mixed emotions about this song. 'You know that I've tried a thousand times to win your love but it's never enough'

14. 'Can You Imagine'-reminds me of 'Dizzy'

Now, what's weird, the CD I bought at Wal-Mart had only 14 tracks, not 15. Reading the lyrics to the 15th track 'Never Let Go', I am mad. It's too late to change anything though now.

Most people confuse 98 Degrees with today's teen pop boybands. But truly they are not. They simply happened to debut at the same time of those put together by mass production. All four struggled in the beginning together as a group of friends to reach somewhere on the music scene. The guys themselves look up to the musical talents of those like BoyzIIMen and Take 6. There for their music is filled with meaningful lyrics and inspiring harmonies. My personal favorite 98 Degrees album is 98 Degrees & Rising. It shows off their ballad singing talents but mixes in some upbeat tunes. Revelation is more milked to fit the needs of pop, but still good itself. I do recomend buying the CD. Here is how I rate each song:

1. Una Noche: Great first single! Catchy with a latin flare :) *****

2. The Way You Want Me To: Great song to dance to :) ****

3. Stay the Night: Good song to spend making eye contact with you're loved one with and has a nice head boppin' beat. ****

4. Yesterday's Letter: Shows off the guys vocal abilties well. Beautifully written, and emotionally gets you. *****

5. He'll Never Be: Fun song for when you're mad at someone! ****

6. I'll Give It All: Breif, but wonderful accapella work. *****

7. My Everything: Beautifully written, perfect love ballad *****

8. You Should be Mine: Unique sounding, but another fun danceable, head boppin' type of song. ****

9. You Don't Know: Shows off the guys vocals very well, very nice slow song. ***

10. Dizzy: This song would've been a great single for them. Very danceable and fun :) *****

11. Way You Do: Gorgeous lyrics, very sweet song! ****

12. Always You and I: Another good song that shows off the guys' vocal talents. ***

13. Never Giving up: This song is ok. It has a nice beat, but is not as catchy as some of the others on the CD. **

14. Never Let Go: A very sweet love ballad. Very well written and sung! ****

15. Can You Imagine: Very lovely song, good beat. ***