Collection
98 Degrees' smooth, sanitized soul and lush, precise harmonies are more akin toBoyz II Menthan theBackstreet Boys. Which is not to say that they attract a different audience than their boy-band brethren; their simplistic but addictive songs of love and heartbreak seem torn from the pages of a Harlequin romance. The 13 songs on this best-of are culled from their 4 albums (including "This Gift" from theirChristmas collection), and they rely heavily on lead vocalist Nick Lachey's breathy vocals, well-crafted melodies, and sparse production, but why tinker with a winning formula? These very songs have racked up nearly $10 million in sales for the band. What they lack in imagination, they make up for in guest appearances.Mariah Careynot only loaned them "Thank God I Found You," the song she penned with Terry Lewis, but her voice pushes the romantic ballad to stunning heights. The band also gets a boost when label mateStevie Wondertakes a verse of "True to Your Heart." His seemingly effortless vocals and trademark harmonica transform the beat-heavy tune into an old-school classic.--Jaan Uhelszki