The Bootlegger's Chronicles

New Kids on the Block: Hangin' Tough

The follow up album had the fellas attempt to bring a bit of maturity late to their vocals and videos were finally being released for them. The guys were shot all around Boston as they crooned to "You've Got It (The Right Stuff)" and showed each member doing their thing. Jordan Knight was marketed as the lead for the song and Joseph McIntyre was the second lead.

Dubbed as a chart-topper (#1) the video soon allowed it to stay in that position for a period of weeks. The black 'n white video soon became a trademark for the following hit single - "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)." A very seductive love tune that had all fans swooning and envisioning their prize singing it to them. The guys brought their playfulness to this album. This sleeper album picked up attention in late 1988 and the guys were soon a hit all over the world.

The upbeat tempo of "Hangin' Tough" reintroduced the audience to the rap styles of Donnie Wahlberg (the bad boy of the group). He was able to take lead of both song and crowd once he was turned loose. This video had the guys staged at a concert and Wahlberg was able to reenact his energy from the video shoot each night live at their concerts.

This album was a little less Bubble Gum but still sugar sweet - in a good way. Out of the early materials produced by this band, this album was a favorite for me in the late 80s. For the memories and the times that they were created this album gets a solid 9 blades from me.

Original Drop: September 6, 1988
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