New Edition - Home Again (CD)

All Music Guide

When Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe and Johnny Gill entered the studio for a full-fledged New Edition reunion in 1996, reactions ranged from excitement to skepticism. Would the chemistry still be there? With Brown, Tresvant and Gill (the only one who wasn't an original member) having put so much energy into their solo careers and the other three having enjoyed success as Bell Biv DeVoe, could they make a cohesive statement as a sextet? But in fact, they did prove cohesive on Home Again, the first New Edition album since 1988's Heartbreak and Brown's first with the group since 1986's Under the Blue Moon. Not remarkable but certainly decent, this CD is a long way from the type of Jackson Five-influenced bubblegum soul/pop Edition was recording in the 80s. Listeners wondered whether Brown or BBD's album would have the greatest impact on this project, and the truth is that both were influential. Some of the songs bring to mind BBD's in-your-face aggre...ssion, while others benefit from Brown's charisma. A few of the songs sound contrived, but in general, Home makes us glad the singers decided to reunite. - Alex Henderson, All Music Guide Read more Less