Full Force

The album title Still Standing may be a reference to Full Force being written off by the record industry to a large degree after the Brooklyn-born group's gold and platinum '80s heyday. After writing and producing hits for the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, *NSYNC, 3LW, and others, they recorded this album, which includes new material as well as their own previous hits (most of which are on Ahead of Their Time: Greatest Hits) and ones they produced for Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, James Brown, and others. All of which makes Still Standing part greatest hits, part comeback, and part tribute, with some current performers appearing (reportedly for free) on some new tracks. Still, its on the more old school-oriented cuts that the album succeeds. The smooth cover of the Floaters' "Float On," titled "Float on With Us," features Kevon Edmonds and Gerald LeVert. Full Force is said to have traveled back to the Detroit studio where the original was recorded to pick up on the song's vibe. Of all the tracks, the soul-fired ballad "Kiss It Where It Hurts," the raw "The Good, the Bad, the Thugly," and "Born to Love Only You" come closest to the tone of their best stuff. On their next album, cuts like these would be the way to go. [The clean version edits the profanity and questionable language from the tracks.] ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide