When we catch up with the Backstreet Boys, it's obvious that they are way-stoked about their new album, Millennium. And they should be. As usual, the boys have created yet another musical masterpiece.

However, for all of you expecting another album full of upbeat dance tunes, you're in for a surprise--but a pleasant one at that. While this latest effort may contain a lot more moody melodies, it also contains a lot more of the Backstreet Boys' personal touches. And Brian, Nick, Kevin, Howie and A.J. are more than happy to share with you the special feelings that are behind their favorite tunes.

He may be a bashful, baby-faced babe, but Brian Littrell beams with pride--and blushes a little--when we at BB ask him about his favorite song from Millennium. "I would have to be biased and say 'The Perfect Fan,'" the 24-year-old music-maker modestly but honestly admits. "I wrote it about my mom [Jackie], and it's a good song. I like it."

Don't be ashamed, Brian, there's absolutely nothing wrong with being extremely of your own work! Besides, the freckle-faced fella has got something else to boast about. "I used the choir that I sang with in high school," gushes the Lexington, Kentucky native, who actually organized the reunion and conducted his former classmates for the CD!

Now that's an awesome accomplishment--especially for someone who didn't see songwriting in his stars! "When I was 18, I had never dreamed of being a songwriter or even write songs, period," explains babely B-Rok, who admits to BB that he just wants his schoolmates to be proud of him. (No doubt, they are, B!)

There's only one imperfection with "The Perfect Fan," blue-eyed Brian says. He hopes BSB fans won't be truly disappointed when they discover that the song wasn't written specifically about them. "I think it's a song everybody can relate to, though, because they have a mother or a stepmother or someone who is there to help push them and guide them to the things that they should do," dishes the mama's boy, who joined his BSB buds on their 1997 self-titled debut.

For Brian's best bud, Nick Carter, the song that most touches the Florida-based babe's heart and nearly brings him to tears is a tribute to BSB's late producer and songwriter Dennis Pop called "Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely," which was written by Dennis' songwriting partner and protègè Max Martin. "If you listen to it really carefully, you can actually feel the pain that Max was feeling," laments 19-year-old Nick, who wholeheartedly agreed with the guys that this album should be dedicated to Dennis.

Twenty-one-year-old A.J. McLean is totally in tune with that feeling. "[Dennis] was like a second father and best friend to all of us," the tattooed-talent from Florida sorrowfully divulges. "He took us under his wing and was the coolest guy--he really was."

Losing a close friend is extremely difficult to deal with, but outgoing A.J.'s spirits are lifted when he sings--or even just hears--his favorite hip-shakin' Millennium songs, "Larger Than Life" and "Don't Want You Back." "They are both more up-tempo songs that make you want to move, which is good," the groovin' guy smiles.

Purging your pent-up feelings about a sad situation--whether it be talking about it with a friend, writing about it or, in Kevin Richardson's case, singing about it--is extremely helpful, Kev says. That's what the model-material music-maker from Lexington, Kentucky was doing when he sat down and wrote "Back To Your Heart." "It's about a relationship that ends, and it's the guy's fault and he shines it," 27-year-old Kev explains, adding with a sly smile, "I had a past relationship in mind."

Even though he's stoked his self-penned song actually made it on the BSB's new CD, he's got something else in mind for his fave Millennium melody--the toe-tappin' tune "Don't Wanna Lose You Now." It's about a relationship, and the guy is saying he doesn't want it to end," the handsome honey describes. "I think it's a beautiful song, and it just touched me."

Of course, there's always someone in the group who can't completely commit to just one song, and--you guessed it--that would be 25-year-old Howie Dorough. "I think there's just a lot of great material on the album," the Florida native--nicknamed Sweet D--says as he flashes his bright, shiny smile. "It's taken us to the next level."