Still Standing

Album Review

The album title Still Standing may be a reference to Full Force being written off by the record industry to a large degree after their gold and platinum '80s heyday. After writing and producing hits for the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, *NSync, 3LW, and others, the Brooklyn-born group 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 the ones they produced on 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 Thuggly," and "Born to Love Only You" come closet to the tone of their best stuff. On their next album, cuts like these would be the way to go.