New Kids Know Their Way Around the Block

Sept. 9, 2008— -- Let's start with the obvious: New Kids on the Block are neither new nor kids. But if their name is now a misnomer, the singers point out, they're in good company.

"You don't think of the Beach Boys as boys, right?" says Jordan Knight, 38, sitting with his bandmates in a hotel suite after wrapping a promotional appearance. "Are the Eagles flying around?"

"Garbage isn't garbage," says Danny Wood, 39.

NKOTB, as the group also was known to its predominantly preadolescent fans back in its late '80s/early '90s heyday, also includes Knight's brother Jonathan and Donnie Wahlberg, both 39, and Joey McIntyre, 35. Collectively, they have nine children, including three teenagers. Wahlberg's 7-year-old son, Elijah, makes a cameo appearance on "The Block," New Kids' first album in nearly 15 years.

Other guests on "Block" include an earlier boy band, New Edition, Akon and the Pussycat Dolls. Ne-Yo shares vocals on new single "Single," one of several thumping, suggestive tracks definitely not aimed at today's tween set. Previous single "Summertime" has sold more than half a million copies.

"There had been many conversations" about a reunion through the years, says Wahlberg, who has pursued an acting career. (He appears with Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and 50 Cent in "Righteous Kill," which opens Friday.) "But it was usually someone else wanting us to get back together for their own motives."

Wahlberg and McIntryre did speak last year about the possibility of a New Kids tour. The latter had just wrapped a "Dancing With the Stars" tour. Then Wahlberg heard some material by Nazaree, a young songwriter featured on "Block," and "it really triggered something in me."

Jonathan saved a text message he received from McIntyre after the five started working together again. "It said, 'Are we really doing this?' " Jonathan recalls. "It was so surreal in the beginning."

Blender editor in chief Joe Levy says "Block" "is pitched adult, but it also has a very light, cute sound. It's (unclear) where this music should be played, on adult-contemporary radio or Disney radio."