Why is Donnie so angry?

New Kids on the Block
Album: Greatest Hits: Remastered (Columbia/Legacy)
In stores: Aug. 12
Why we care: You might think I have a cool job. The CDs. The concerts. The awesome hair. But there are occasional hazards. For instance, on Nov. 2, I will be at the St. Pete Times Forum reviewing the New Kids on the Block reunion show. (TICKETS) And I will be surrounded by a phalanx of screaming 38-year-old moms who would gladly stab me to get to Jordan Knight. Like I said: hazards.
Why we like it: In 1988, I was a giant dork for myriad reasons. But I’m proud to say one of those reasons was not for liking NKOTB, the once-mighty boy band who sold an eye-popping 70 million albums. (Holy crap, that's pretty good.) This hits package is a harmlessly cheeseball time capsule that will provide those aforementioned stabbing moms hours of fun. I'm guessing the FF wasn't a fan. She was too busy getting that Duran Duran tattoo on her fanny. Oh, I'm joking, I'm joking...or am I?
Reminds us of: My favorite New Kid? Cubby.
Download this: I'll Be Loving You (Forever) (WATCH WITH HORROR)
Grade: C

Comments

[Old Fat Bald Chick Magnet]

Donnie's mad for the same reason Jeb Bush is pretty cranky these days.

[Miguel]

I have a little doubt here.It`s probably a bit off topic,but is Johnny Drama on "Entourage" based on Donnie? I red it isn`t but it fits perfectly(older unsuccessful brother of Vinnie/Mark).

[don in tulsa]

oh the horror that is nkotb. i never liked them and can't understand why donnie would forsake his acting career to do this. oh wait, they probably offered him a buttload of money. this is one concert i will be more than glad to stay away from.

[SM]

Never liked NKOTB. Blech. I admit I was a total 'Duranie'. No tattoo though.

Miguel, not sure about the Entourage bit. Makes sense though. I love that show-- especially Ari.

[MaiSitter]

~CAUTION~ Deep dark childhood memories about to be revealed! Oh the flashbacks! I was a blockhead kid. From fifth grade until probably seventh grade I ate, slept , spoke etc nkotb. The walls that are now adorned with Jo Bro posters once held a vast amount of double sided sticky tape and Joey McIntyre, my fave new kid. I'm a sucker for a guy with curls. (The blonde furry has my old room.) I had a jean jacket covered in homemade buttons. I spent my $5 a week allowance on Bop magazine for posters and updated information. Oh it all seems so sad now. At one of the three concerts I attended my sister and I actually got to meet Donnie. He was so gangster tough, I say that sarcastically. Fun times those were!

A long time former blockhead girlfriend of mine and I actually want to go to the upcoming concert. Mostly for nostalgia. We volunteer to go in your place Mr. D and write a non-biased review. Scouts honor :)

I can vouch for you on the 1988/not liking the New Kids thing. I can also back up the fact that you were "a giant dork for myriad reasons". I remember, even back in those days, you had very eclectic taste in music. But that Go West album, man...you played that thing into the ground.

[NickWithAnAxe]

Why did it make me anonymous? Stupid technology.

[Sean Daly]

Ha! Go West. Guilty as charged. However, Becks had me beat for repeated plays, dreaming of Bucky to "Cherish" and dreaming of Whiteman to "Careless Whisper." Wow, we really were a crew of all-stars, weren't we?

[Marissa]

I had "GO WEST" on cassette. If i dug around in my closet I'd find it, I'm sure.

My 26 year old niece is going to see NKOTB when they come to Chicago in October. She saw them 'back in the day' so she's as giddy as I was when I finally got to see Donnie Osmond.

[Stephanie Hayes]

Daly, you're way off. NKOTB was a tweener thing, like the Jo Bros. So, many hardcore fans such as myself who were 7 to 13 in 1990 are now aged a mere 25-30. Just saying. Howevs, we'll still stab your critic face to get to Jordan.

[Marissa]

dang! Stephanie is hard core, man!

*ps. excellent article, SH. Who'dathunk I'd see your name in the Chicago Tribune!

[scooterbucs]

My wife will be one of those screaming cheetahs when they visit NC.

[Starfish]

I know Im young, but I had older siblings, so I was on the NKOTB bandwagon. I had a pink lunchbox and matching thermos to go with it when I was in kindergarden. I think I might have been the only one tho. I would love to go to the concert, but for some reason, I just cant talk my bf into going with me :/

[SM]

Wow.. I knew I was in good company here. I loved Go West (fluttery heartbeat) back then!

[SM]

Okay, so the Go West references just triggered a flashback to two other perennial favorites whose cassettes I played relentlessly back in those teenage years.. so whatever happened to The Models and Charlie Sexton??? I'd go see those two concerts in a heartbeat!

[Bassnote]

I loved Go West's first album. Have it on my iPod.

New Kids On The Block... no.

[sparky]

I hated NKOTB when they were relevent and after seeing Jordan Knight on The Surreal Life I think I would say he is pretty much a tool.

Getting off the NKOTB subject, I see somebody brought up Charlie Sexton. I'll see your Charlie Sexton and raise you a Tommy Conwell.

[John Hays]

I'm so glad the other Hayes posted that, since the first thing that I noticed is how the majority of NKOTB's female fans are most likely closer to my age (30), since that was the rage with the girls in my schoool.

[Clark]

Dennis Miller summed it up years ago: Donnie thought he was a motorcycle guy in a moped band. Oh sure, he might sing 'Oh oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh', but he doesn't MEAN it!

[SM]

Sparky, I call your hand! Who is Tommy Conwell?

[sparky]

Tommy Conwell was a guitarist mid to late 80's had two bands Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers and Tommy Conwell and the Little Kings. Had 1 major hit with I'm Not Your Man and then poof gone. I beleive he's a teacher and weekend DJ in Philly now.

[SM]

Hmm..I don't think I've ever heard of him. I'm Not Your Man doesn't sound familiar at all.

Always a shame to hear about the 'one hit wonder' performers-- especially if they actually possessed talent!

Is he a Philly native?

[sparky]

I believe so. He may have charted with other songs off of Rumble but none as big as I'm not your man. Give it a listen. The whole album/cd is actually really good.

[SM]

Thanks Sparky. I'll check him out. I love to find a CD that's actually good enough to listen to in its entirety.

Is his sound similar to the illustrious Charlie S? He's another one who seemed to fall off the face of the earth.

[SM]

Sparky, I found the video and surprise, I do know that song! I think I was thrown by the George Michael comments because "I'm Your Man" kept popping into my head.

Watching that video reminded me of a few other bands (think it's the hair) I used to listen to a lot--The Rembrandts, before the Friends theme song-- and must be an "R" thing because then the Replacements came to mind. Now I have a list of songs I haven't heard in ages that I need to get from iTunes!

[sparky]

The whole disk is pretty good. Maybe 1 clunker on the CD but that is about it. It's a shame his second CD wasn't as good but that happens.

[Bassnote]

I have "I'm Not Your Man" on a cassingle. Is my age showing?

[SM]

Bassnote, I guess mine is too because I actually know what you're talking about!

Sparky, are you from Philly? Did I read that during one of the discussions about macaroons and tastycakes?

[sparky]

Not from Philly but close enough Wilkes-Barre, right up the NE Extension.

[SM]

I'm originally from South Jersey. We have lots of family spread out between there and Philly.