Reviews of albums I did not listen to

It's About the Lyrics, November 8, 2000

"Just Got Paid" is a Springsteen-esque tribute to the working class. As the title suggests, a man has "just got paid," and wishes to celebrate with his special someone. Could that someone be you? You can only hope! This song accurately portrays the hand-to-mouth existence of middle America.

"No Strings Attached" has a cunning double meaning: Is it about the boys' management by an evil puppeteer? Or is it about a relationship that indulges in carnal pleasures, with none of the messy dating or phone calls. Good show, boys!

"I Thought She Knew" is also a song that pop historians will be attempting to decipher for many years to come. On first glance, the knowledge in question seems to be whether the author is currently in a long-term relationship (i.e. "I thought she knew I already had a girlfriend"). But the sly references to "the clinic" leads one to wonder about altogether different interpretations.

Finally, "It Makes Me Ill" is the lyrical coup on the "No Strings Attached" CD. Food allergies are a sensitive topic for youngsters, and never has it been so poignantly addressed.

There can be no doubt that, lyrically, N'Sync are the Bob Dylan of their generation. Poetry books could well outsell their albums!