Throwback

1	Let It Whip 4:37
2	Let's Stay Together 3:55
3	What You Won't Do for Love 4:08
4	Cutie Pie 5:07
5	Close the Door 4:12
6	For the Love of You 5:41
7	Sara Smile 3:40
8	Human Nature / Claudette Ortiz 4:10
9	Time Will Reveal 4:20
10	I Miss You 5:35
11	You Make Me Feel Brand New 7:55

Barnes & Noble

What happens when boys become men? Well, if you're the formerly famous boy band Boyz II Men, you make an album of shamelessly schmaltzy covers. Yet with that timeless, impeccable Cooley High harmony still intact, the aptly titled Throwback, instead of guaranteeing the fellas a headline gig in Atlantic City, is a late-summer guilty pleasure that signals a welcome -- albeit occasionally cheesy -- comeback. Now a trio after the departure of bass vocalist Michael McCary, original members Wayna Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Nathan Morris put their riff-running stamp on 11 pop and soul classics culled from the '70s and '80s, including a harmony-layered reading of the Hall & Oates classic "Sara Smile"; a faithful cover of the Isleys' "For the Love of You" that would make Mr. Biggs proud; a sparse, acoustic guitar–assisted rendering of Michael Jackson's "Human Nature"; and a goose bump–inducing, a cappella version of DeBarge's "Time Will Reveal." With Throwback, Boyz II Men give their younger counterparts Justin Timberlake and Usher a vocal spanking, and leave their 30-something fans with a big, old-school grin. Tracy E. Hopkins

All Music Guide

In the careers of nearly all adult contemporary artists, there is almost an unspoken, obligatory feeling that compels them to pay homage to their roots and inspirations by issuing covers albums. Sometimes these approaches work wonders for a career (case in point: the rejuvenation of Michael McDonald's career courtesy of a record chock-full of Motown covers, which was the defibrillator to an otherwise pulseless career), and sometimes they don't. Thankfully, the Boyz get it right most of the time on Throwback, but not without some setbacks. The reverence that the Boyz show here is evident by their sincere performances and track selection, which obviously pay homage to the radio and records they grew up with (which is self-evident thanks to the title). However, it's the production that is the dragging anchor keeping this album from really setting sail the way it begs to. Resorting to formulaic cookie-cutter R&B beats and production deters from the group's biggest strength: their voices. Of course, there are exceptions from time to time: an all-acoustic delivery of Michael Jackson's "Human Nature," the Philly soul goodness of Teddy Pendergrass' "Close the Door," and a surprisingly faithful arrangement of the Stylistics' "You Make Me Feel Brand New" all bring their true talents to the forefront. The vocals are just as sharp as ever, especially on their stirring interpretations of Hall & Oates' "Sara Smile" and "Human Nature." It's not a watershed moment in their catalog, but for those die-hard fans who simply love the group, it's an engaging listen and a charming audio yearbook. Rob Theakston