Given the commercial triumph of the Backstreet Boys' Millennium, the pop world was thrown into a quandary with the news that the group's third album, in stores on November 21, was going to be called "Black And Blue."

Had the rapidly aging quintet entered a period of spiritual depression that would see them covering songs by Hank Williams and the Smiths? Were the Backstreet Boys going to launch a new jackbooted S&M direction? Would their next tour see them performing in a Gothic haze of dry ice with the lights turned off?

Probably not. After all, we're talking about the Backstreet Boys, and Max Martin, purveyor of quality bubblegum like "I Want It That Way," wrote much of the album. Fans can already get a preview of the album on a CD available through the Burger King fast-food chain that includes new song "It's True" along with live cuts.

If you like your Backstreet Boys without the Whopper, "Shape Of My Heart," the first single from "Black And Blue," is due to hit radio stations on October 3.

Speaking to MTV earlier in the year, Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean said that the new album would see the group branching out into the country, rock, and hip-hop genres, and threatened that Nick Carter and Kevin Richardson would be showing off their mad skills on drums and piano. Just stay away from Badfinger covers, guys.

A similar scare was caused when it was announced that Britney Spears was going to be covering the Stones raunch 'n' roll classic "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." Far from seeing Spears reviving Southern boogie, her version turned out to be the same old pile of poo-poo. -- C. Bottomley (MTV.com)