Howie D
Howie D, aka Howie Dorough, attempts to stand on his own with the appropriately titled solo release “Back to Me.”
The 38-year-old member of the Backstreet Boys is used to being a face in the crowd, often rotating to the back seat behind other singers in the group (Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, A.J. McLean), as is customary in boy-band land. The situation was magnified earlier this year when BSB hooked up with the New Kids on the Block to form a loose, mega-boy-band.
But now Howie D is taking ownership of the spotlight — which often suits him, even though he’s not the most distinctive pop singer around.
The Orlando native is most effective caught up in the swirl of Euro-electro-dance tracks, including the percolating single “100” (where he vows to offer, “One hundred ways to say that I love you ... I’m giving you 100/I hope that’s enough”) as well as the unpretentious, catchy tracks “This Is Just What I Needed” (exuberant) and “Dominoes” (fluffy).
He also has a way with romance: “Pure,” about “waking up in paradise,” is a sensual dreamscape tethered to a pounding beat, and a slapping rhythm punctuates the modestly mesmerizing “Stay,” where Howie D sings, “I wish you would stay/Stay here forever.”
Yet at times the uncomplicated lyrics and simple arrangements seem to pander to starry-eyed pre-teens, and that’s simply not his demographic anymore. Also, about half of the 12 songs are benign, but almost immediately forgettable — some because they misfire (“Going Going Gone” is enmeshed in staticky sludge, “Over My Head” is weighed down by clunky phrasing) and others because they’re merely inconsequential.
Meanwhile, the singer keeps his tending-toward-nasal delivery in the middle of the road, rarely going for power or subtlety.
Those who grew up with the Backstreet Boys might get a charge out of “Back to Me,” and some of these cuts lend themselves to club play and remixes. Otherwise, Howie D neither bombs nor resonates.
Rating: 3 stars (out of five)
© 2011, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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