{$The Backstreet Boys}' eponymous debut album was released in America nearly a full year after its original European release, and the wait proved to be a blessing in disguise. In that year, light {\dance-pop} -- such as {$the Spice Girls} and {$Hanson} -- returned to the top of the American charts, paving the way for the frothy pleasures of {^Backstreet Boys}. Like those groups, {$the Backstreet Boys} divide their time between catchy, up-tempo {\dance} numbers and syrupy {\ballads}, and they are as reliant on their personality as they are their talent. As a result, there are a couple of slow spots on the record, but each of the singles, plus a handful of album tracks, are potent combinations of professional hooks and personal charm that make {^Backstreet Boys} a thoroughly enjoyable affair. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide