The title of
Boyz II Men’s third consecutive covers album is only partially indicative. The love songs covered on this disc span several decades and styles, unlike
Throwback (‘70s and early-‘80s funk and soul) and
Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA (self-explanatory), both of which were more focused thematically. What ties these songs together is that they are love songs, and nothing else. That early-‘60s R&B (
Sam Cooke’s “Cupid”), late-‘90s country (
Lonestar’s “Amazed”), and early-‘80s rock (
Journey’s “Open Arms,” a choice likely influenced by producer
Randy Jackson) are all part of the mix only hints at the randomness of the selections. Despite the range of the sources,
Boyz II Men tie it all together. ~ Andy Kellman