The Backstreet Boys’ eponymous debut album was released in America nearly a full year after its original European release, and the wait proved to be a blessing in disguise. In that year, light dance-pop — such as the Spice Girls and Hanson — returned to the top of the American charts, paving the way for the frothy pleasures of Backstreet Boys. Like those groups, the Backstreet Boys divide their time between catchy, up-tempo dance numbers and syrupy ballads, and they are as reliant on their personality as they are their talent. As a result, there are a couple of slow spots on the record, but each of the singles, plus a handful of album tracks, are potent combinations of professional hooks and personal charm that make Backstreet Boys a thoroughly enjoyable affair. – Stephen Thomas Erlewine