98 Degrees’ ‘2.0’: Album Review

Kathy Iandoli | May 7, 2013 5:45 am
About 16 years have passed since 98 Degrees released their self-titled debut album, and 15 years since their follow-up 98° and Rising became a multi-platinum juggernaut. A lot has happened since then. Mainly, the concept of a boy band has actually evolved into just that: a boy band. When Nick, Justin, Jeff, and Drew first hit the scene, they were all in their twenties (Drew was probably the closest to genuine youthfulness at 21). It wasn’t unheard of, considering various members of Backstreet Boys were flirting with 30 by their second album. Since then, boy bands have gotten younger (One Direction‘s oldest member is 21 and they’re almost three albums deep), yet the content grows more risqué. Capitalizing on one of those two traits, 98 Degrees release 2.0 (out today,