98 Degrees
They may look like just another boy group, but Ohio's 98 Degrees more likely found their role models in smooth croonersBoyz II Menthan inNew Kids on the Block. It was backstage at a Boyz II Men concert, in fact, that they met their manager and scored a deal, going on to platinum sales in Asia (à la'N Syncin Germany) before having a hit on home soil. That song, "Invisible Man," is just one of many supersweet slow jams on their debut that give it that slightly more credible R&B; edge (others worth checking out include "Was It Something I Didn't Say?" and "Heaven's Missing an Angel"). Uptempo tracks like "Come and Get It" and "Dreaming," however, show that they still know how to pop.--Rebecca Wallwork