The Backstreet Boys
Photo: Gary Gershoff/WireImage

The Backstreet Boys are back. And on their latest album, This Is Us, the guys are declaring their return to the sound that made them famous back in the late '90s.

Gone are the adult-contemporary touches they've favored in recent years. It's back to the pulsating beats and dance-music vibe. And Brian Littrell thinks now is the perfect time for the guys to show the world they still have what it takes.

"I think This Is Us is definitely the Backstreet Boys being comfortable with who we are," he told MTV News about the album, which dropped last week. "If you go back to 1995 and '96, when we first started releasing records, the thing is, those sounds that we were using then are actually back in style. The live-band sound is away. The techno drums, the Euro dance sound has taken over the airwaves with the Lady Gagas."

But Littrell is quick to point out that the guys aren't just jumping on the bandwagon of Top 40 trends. "We've been doing it for a long time," he said. "When we went back in the studio, the reason we went with this direction was we wanted to be able to dance onstage. We wanted to move around."

Since the guys have been together for so long, Littrell said critics and fans need to realize the group has to grow up. "When we do a record like This Is Us and it turned heads a little bit, like, 'Wow, it's edgier. It's different,' " Littrell said. "My thing is, back up 15 years ago, 'cause it sounds like what we were doing 15 years ago. It has a little more urban feel to it. Then again, we have to go back to our roots. We were all a bunch of Justin Timberlakes listening to R&B music before there was Justin Timberlake."

For the album, the boys hooked up with longtime collaborator Max Martin, as well as a few new faces, like Lady Gaga producer RedOne, T-Pain and Ryan Tedder.

"Everybody has us trapped in a box," he said. "Working with a guy like T-Pain, you have no choice but to get an R&B, hip-hop vibe, which is what we wanted to do. It's not just because T-Pain is T-Pain. We're fans as well, even though we're entertainers. We pulled in the Jim Johnsons, who did T.I.'s 'Whatever You Like' and Soulja Boy, what we call that dirty South sound."

For Littrell's favorite track on the album, the midtempo love ballad "Undone," the guys hooked up with OneRepublic frontman Tedder. "You can play it for anybody and you wouldn't know that it's us," he said. "That's when the song sells itself."

• Backstreet Boys

Brian Littrell
Photo: Leon Halip/ WireImage

Last week, the Backstreet Boys had to sideline plans to promote their latest album, This Is Us, after Brian Littrell was diagnosed with swine flu. But 10 days after that diagnosis, Littrell said his health has improved and he's ready to get the show back on the road.

"I am a lot better than I was last week. We are better now," he told MTV News on Wednesday (October 14). "I still have a little lingering cough, but at the same time, I am 100 percent back up to par. I saw [the other guys] yesterday at rehearsal, and everyone looked pretty healthy."

Littrell was busy with the band in Japan when he realized he might need to see a doctor. "I was very surprised. It happened so fast that I had no time to really react to it," he said of getting sick. "With the normal flu, you have an onset of days, where you know something is wrong. ... I didn't really feel bad."

Now that Littrell has put the flu behind him, the Backstreet Boys are hard at work rehearsing for their tour, which kicks off later this month.

"I've had the flu before, obviously," Littrell said. "When I do get sick, my wife says I'm not a good sick patient, 'cause I don't let people help me a lot. ... I started my antibiotics Sunday evening. The doctor saw me every day up until Wednesday. Again, we caught it right at the very beginning, as early as my body would tell that I have the swine flu."

Littrell was surprised he got sick because he makes his health a priority. "It happened so fast. I really had no warning signs," he said. "I pride myself on taking care of myself. I go and get sick, and the guys are going out at night and being out all night, and I'm thinking, 'I was being a good boy, and I go and get sick.' "

• Backstreet Boys

Michael Bublé's <i>Crazy Love</i>
Photo: 143 Records

You already knew Oprah Winfrey had the power to make any book she deems worthy a blockbuster, but the queen of all media is proving to be a musical kingmaker as well. A week after appearing on Winfrey's show, smooth crooner Michael Bublé will top the Billboard 200 charts with his latest, Crazy Love, on modest sales of 132,000.

Bublé managed to pull the feat off after pushing his album up from October 13 to an earlier, off-cycle Friday (October 9) release to coincide with the Winfrey appearance, dealing a harsh blow to legendary greasepaint rockers Kiss in the process. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees were looking like shoo-ins to land the first-ever #1 debut in their 30-plus-year career with the bargain-priced three-CD Wal-Mart exclusive Sonic Boom, but they will have to settle for #2 after moving just 108,000 copies.

The other top 10 debuts include a #3 bid by flag-waving country star Toby Keith with American Ride (90,000), followed by rising country singer Luke Bryan's second album, Doin' My Thing, at #6 (58,000). The rebooted Backstreet Boys hit the golden circle with This Is Us (#9, 42,000), despite scuttling some promotional events last week due to member Brian Littrell's battle with swine flu.

Barbra Streisand's Love Is the Answer lost nearly 60 percent of its business in week two, dropping to #4 on sales of 75,000. Jay-Z holds pretty steady at #5 with The Blueprint 3 (65,000), while Mariah Carey's Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel dips four spots to #7 (55,000) after shedding 68 percent of sales in its second week. Though she's been busy recuperating from strep throat and quitting Twitter, Miley Cyrus has managed to creep back into the top 10 with her Time of Our Lives EP (#8, 47,000). Rockers Breaking Benjamin round things out with Dear Agony (41,000).

Proving that they still have a tall hill to climb in the U.S., German eyeliner popsters Tokio Hotel land with a thud at #35 in the debut week of their latest, Humanoid, which sold 17,000 copies.

It was a short ride near the top for Paramore, who lost 77 percent of the first-week sales for Brand New Eyes, dropping nine spots to #11. Revived grunge icons Alice in Chains are just behind at #12, as their first effort in more than a decade, Black Gives Way to Blue dropped more than 70 percent of its first-week numbers (37,000).

They had plenty of company as a number of former top-10ers have taken swift rides down the stream, including Pearl Jam's Backspacer (#16, down 46 percent on 32,000 in sales), Miranda Lambert's Revolution (#19, down 58 percent on sales of 28,000), Madonna's greatest-hits compilation Celebration (#20, down 63 percent and 13 spots on sales of 26,000) and Selena Gomez and the Scene's Kiss and Tell (#25, down 62 percent and 14 spots on sales of 25,000).

Elsewhere on the charts, country royalty Roseanne Cash debuts at #22 with The List (26,000), an album of covers based on a list of songs given to her by late father Johnny Cash. Singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile debuts at #26 with her third full-length CD, Give up the Ghost (25,000), and veteran indie-rockers Built to Spill hit #50 with There Is No Enemy (12,000).

Karen O and the Kids were sent to virtual chart detention with the soundtrack to Spike Jonze's eagerly anticipated big-screen adaptation of "Where the Wild Things Are," dropping nearly 30 spots in week two to #62 (10,000). And Joey Crack might be a bit hungry after his sequel, Jealous Ones Still Envy 2 (J.O.S.E. 2) failed to stir the Fat Joe nation, mustering a #73 debut on sales of just over 8,000. Also licking wounds is former "American Idol" semifinalist and beatboxer Blake Lewis, whose second effort, Heartbreak on Vinyl barely scratches the surface, landing with a thud at #135 (4,000).

With the release date just pushed up to this Friday (October 16), the soundtrack to "New Moon" looks like it will easily crush the competition next week, which will also bring debuts from Mario and Barry Manilow.

• Michael Buble
• Kiss
• Backstreet Boys

Backstreet Boys' Brian Littrell
Photo: Youtube

Just as the Backstreet Boys were preparing to promote their latest album, This Is Us, word came that member Brian Littrell had been diagnosed with swine flu, prompting the band to cancel several upcoming promotional appearances. On the roster was a performance of their single "Straight Through My Heart" on CBS' "Early Show" on Tuesday (October 6).

In a video posted Monday on YouTube, a sniffling and visibly ill Littrell apologized to his fans for missing upcoming scheduled appearances, which included a Pinktober charity event supporting breast cancer awareness at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square.

"First off, I want to say that I'm really sorry to all of our Backstreet Boys fans, as well as I'm sorry to the Hard Rock Café and the staff there. The Backstreet Boys had a great event set up this afternoon (October 5), an autograph signing at the Hard Rock, where we were going to get the chance to mingle with some of our fans as well as raise money for breast cancer awareness," he said. "Unfortunately I was diagnosed with the swine flu yesterday, and my job right now is to stay away from as many people as I can."

He also addressed the fact that his bandmates are currently healthy but are still undergoing preventative swine flu treatments: "On another note, the guys have been looked at by a doctor, and they're also on preventative medicine that will help them not show any signs nor get the swine flu, I hope.

"I want to apologize again and say that I'm sorry I couldn't make it. You guys got to know what's going on. ... I hope that the next time you see me, I will feel better, but for right now, for the next three or four days, I've got to be out of the loop. Thank you for your understanding. I'm sorry that I couldn't be there, but my job right now is to try and protect you guys from this. I hope you guys are well and I will talk to you very soon. God bless."

In 1998, Littrell, 34, underwent open heart surgery to correct a lifelong heart murmur. A spokesperson for Littrell told MTV News that his doctors are aware of his previous heart condition and heart surgery and are monitoring that as they treat him.

• Backstreet Boys

Brian Littrell
Photo: Tony R. Phipps/ WireImage

The Backstreet Boys were forced to cancel a planned meet-and-greet in New York on Monday (October 5) after member Brian Littrell was diagnosed with swine flu. According to a statement released by the group's spokesperson, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough and AJ McLean, as well as the band's traveling entourage, have all met with a doctor and are not currently showing any symptoms of the highly contagious flu, known as H1N1.

As a preventative measure, the doctor prescribed the drug Tamiflu to the group and their touring party, all of whom just returned from Tokyo. As a result of the diagnosis, the BSB have also been forced to cancel a planned performance for Tuesday on CBS' "Early Show." They were scheduled to perform their new single, "Straight Through My Heart," from their This Is Us album, due Tuesday. An intimate fan-appreciation performance at PC Richard & Son Theater in New York scheduled for Tuesday night has also been postponed.

It was unclear at press time how Littrell's diagnosis would impact the rest of the band's promotional schedule for this week. In 1998, Littrell, 34, underwent open-heart surgery to correct a lifelong heart murmur.

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, H1N1 is a highly contagious seasonal variation of the flu spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing or by touching a surface someone with the virus has come into contact with and then touching the mouth or nose. Symptoms of the disease include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. While most people who contract the flu will suffer the symptoms and recover with no lasting effects, the virus has the potential to be lethal for people over 65 and children under the age of 5, as well as pregnant women and those with chronic medical conditions, including heart disease.

Littrell is not the first pop singer to fall victim to H1N1. Among those who've reportedly contracted it are Kasabian singer Tom Meighan, Tulisa Contostavlos of the British band N-Dubz and singer/songwriter Jens Lekman. E! Online reported Monday that production on the show "Bones" had been shut down due to an H1N1 scare.

• Backstreet Boys

Backstreet Boys in 2005
Photo: Vince Bucci/ Getty Images

For the first time since leaving the group in 2006, former Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson joined the rest of the group onstage in Los Angeles Sunday night, on the last stop of their Unbreakable tour at the Palladium in Hollywood.

In a fan-made video that's surfaced online, the audience erupts into deafening screams when Richardson emerges onstage to join the group for "Shape of My Heart," from the group's Black and Blue album. He's seen goofing around with his former bandmates, and at one point even lifts Nick Carter's shirt. The five are very chummy in the clip and seem to be feeding off of the audience's energy; the screams render the first minute of the song completely inaudible in the clip.

A comment by the person who posted the video says: "There was not a dry eye on the audience. We all bawled our eyes out. I couldn't believe right in front of my very eyes I was seeing this."

The group appeared without Richardson during the "TRL" finale earlier this month.

The reunited Boys — Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell and AJ McLean — told MTV News in October they were skeptical that Richardson would ever come back to the group since he left it to pursue "new goals," but insisted that the door was always open for Richardson to make his return. Dorough added that Richardson is in "such a good place right now," raising a family and pursuing an acting career.

"In the beginning of the tour, we left a gap onstage where Kevin would be, and then it started closing up," Carter said. "We love him to death. We have to move on. We have new goals and dreams."

On Sunday night, Richardson filled the gap himself.

• Backstreet Boys

Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy and SuChin Pak appear on "TRL"
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images

Over the last 10 years, "TRL" and MTV News have been a part of many memorable moments in pop culture. As we run up to the "TRL" finale on Sunday, November 16 — which will feature performances from 50 Cent, Beyoncé, Fall Out Boy and the Backstreet Boys and appearances from many of the show's favorite artists and past hosts — we take a look back at some of those moments.

Of course, the most topical moment today is the Choose or Lose campaign, which began in 1991, seven years before "TRL" debuted, which works hard to keep young people informed and involved in politics — and which we'd like to think played a role in the huge youth-voter turnout, which helped to make Barack Obama our nation's president-elect.

Of course, there have also been serious and sad moments to report over the years. We've said goodbye to artists like Aaliyah, TLC's Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay and Heath Ledger. We've also closely followed such tragic events as 9/11, Hurricane Katrina and the Virginia Tech shootings.

But "TRL" has mostly been about music and entertainment, and over the years we've seen the explosion of boy bands like the Backstreet Boys, 'NSYNC, 98 Degrees and O-Town — and the decline of those same groups. And we've reported on some of the biggest and baddest boys and girls out there, whether it was Lindsay Lohan, Shia LaBeouf and even Nick Carter — we've seen them in their darkest moments and in their mug shots.

And we can't forget all the crazy relationships we've seen come and go over the last decade. We watched our very own newlyweds Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson get married, get canceled and get divorced. We happily announced the unions between Avril Lavigne and Deryck Whibley, as well as Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale. We watched Eminem and Kim get divorced, get married and get divorced again, and saw Britney Spears and Kevin Federline split up.

Maybe you remember the time that we traveled down to Cuba to watch Audioslave perform. Or the time we went along with Fall Out Boy when they played shows in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles within 24 hours.

Much like that day, it's been a wild ride, and we're happy and thankful that you took it with us.

• MTV News' Top 'TRL' Moments

• Backstreet Boys
• Fall Out Boy
• Beyoncé
• 50 Cent

The Backstreet Boys with John Norris
Photo: MTV News

Remember the good old days when the Backstreet Boys and 'NSYNC were battling it out for boy-band supremacy, yet they wanted it to look like there was no rivalry and that things were cool between the two groups? Well, all these years later, the Backstreet Boys finally admit that there was definitely some competition during the late-'90s pop explosion.

"A healthy competition creates this big ball of energy that just doesn't stop and continues to grow," Nick Carter said. "Obviously, with 'NSYNC and with us — we're allowed to say it now, it's OK — it was a lot of fun, and it pushed us to be better as a group. I'm sure it pushed them as well. It's just like [Michael] Jordan and [John] Starks ... and the world loves it. We were happy to be a part of it. And we're still striving to be better."

"We all fed each other," Howie Dorough agreed. "Everyone was trying to be on top of their game. ... The media sometimes made us out to have a rivalry going on. ... There was never any animosity amongst us, but it made for a lot of fun for the fans to get out there and support both sides."

And it wasn't just during the fun times that loyal Backstreet Boys fans stood by their sides. The guys recall the time when A.J. McLean used the "Total Request Live" stage to tell the world that he was going into rehab in 2001. He says he chose "TRL" — which ends its 10-year run November 16 — because it was the obvious place for a pop act to go when announcing big news.

"I was definitely happy with that decision," McLean said. "We had talked about how we were going to approach it. I left it up to the four other guys, 'cause I was going through such turmoil in my head. But I think the reason why we picked 'TRL' was because it was our hub. That's where everything started for us. ... What better way to reach the fans? What better place for us to talk to people and be that honest with the situation?

"I still, to this day, have not watched the episode," he added. "I've seen bits and pieces of it, and then when I see Kevin cry, I stop."

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the guys recall having the power to shut down the center of the Big Apple during a "TRL." "You used to be able to see out the windows, and then after that, they blacked out the windows and wouldn't let us go near the windows," Brian Littrell remembered. "We literally shut down Times Square. I remember it being calmer, then it became crazy."

The guys will be on hand for the "TRL" finale, where they'll be performing some fan favorites for the crowd. Nick isn't ready to see it go. "Sad. This is something that we've been a part of since the beginning," he said. "So many great memories. Why are you taking it off? What's wrong with you guys? Things have to change."

The guys are no stranger to change. In 2006, founding member Kevin Richardson left the group, and now the guys are pursuing "new goals." Dorough said Richardson is in "such a good place right now," raising a family and pursuing an acting career.

"In the beginning of the tour [this year], we left a gap onstage where Kevin would be, and then it started closing up," Carter said. "We love him to death. We have to move on. We have new goals and dreams."

The guys have since released new music and plan to release more next year. They also continue to tour, all with Richardson's blessing. And despite how weird it still is to not have him around, they have no plans to slow down anytime soon. "We're the happiest we've ever been. We're all united," McLean said, and Carter added that this is going to be the beginning of a new era — a fresh start for the guys.

And pop music today is as hot as it was nearly a decade ago, thanks to acts like the Jonas Brothers, and the Backstreet Boys are passing the boy-band torch to their former tourmates. "They opened for us on the 'Never Gone Tour.' They're a talented bunch of kids. They're growing up fast," Littrell added. "I don't feel reluctant to give them advice. I'll never forget: We were doing a show in Florida with the Temptations, and one of those guys stood up and said, 'This is show business, and as you're doing your show, your business could be running out on you.' I'll never forget that."

• Backstreet Boys
• Jonas Brothers
• *NSYNC

50 Cent
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images

50 Cent, Fall Out Boy and the Backstreet Boys are the latest artists confirmed to perform on next month's "Total Finale Live," joining Beyoncé on the two-hour special. And when you've got a lineup that big, there's only one man you can call to host it all: Carson Daly.

On Thursday (October 23), it was announced that Daly — the show's original host — would serve as co-emcee for the big finale, alongside current host Damien Fahey. Daly appeared on the first episode of "TRL" in September, 1998, and helmed the show until 2003, when he stepped down to host his own talk show, NBC's "Last Call With Carson Daly."

"Total Finale Live" will air Sunday, November 16 at 8 p.m. ET. In addition to the performances, fans can expect in-studio appearances from a host of "TRL" faves, including Ludacris, Mariah Carey, Diddy, Snoop Dogg, Taylor Swift, Fred Durst and members of Good Charlotte and Korn. Former "TRL" VJs Dave Holmes, Jesse Camp, La La Vasquez and Hilarie Burton will also be on hand for the festivities (a show this big needs lots of hosts, after all).

Though the "TRL" finale is still weeks away, the celebration of the show's history is already revving up. Throughout the course of the month, MTV.com and MTV News will feature special retrospective countdowns and give fans a look back at the best moments from the show's decade-long run.

And on the show's official site, TRL.MTV.com, viewers can check out video highlights, photo galleries of past guests and a decade's worth of pictures taken in the famed "TRL" photo booth. On November 16, the site will also feature behind-the-scenes coverage of the event, plus red-carpet photos from the "Total Finale Live" preshow.

• 50 Cent
• Fall Out Boy
• Backstreet Boys
• Ludacris
• Diddy

Lou Pearlman
Photo: Evan Agostini/ Getty Images

Even as federal investigators were finishing work on their $300 million fraud case against disgraced former boy-band entrepreneur Lou Pearlman, the ex-Backstreet Boys backer was gathering information on a man held in a nearby cell in order to turn those details over to cops.

Sitting in the Orange County jail in Florida, Pearlman reportedly listened intently as fellow inmate Davin Smith told him about the October 7 killing of off-duty Orlando police officer Alfred Gordon, whom Smith is accused of gunning down during a botched robbery, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Pearlman took notes and drew diagrams based on Smith's story, after overhearing another inmate ask Smith what he was charged with. "We killed a cop," Smith reportedly replied. Smith and his co-defendant have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The paper obtained a transcript of a 28-minute interview between Pearlman and Orange County sheriff's detectives from October 30, during which Pearlman, 54, spoke repeatedly about hearing Smith, 19, brag about the crime. Most of the overheard conversations were with another inmate, but Pearlman spoke to Smith himself a few times as the two men left the common shower area, after Smith said he recognized Pearlman from "Making the Band."

As Smith reportedly described what happened the morning Gordon was shot, Pearlman took notes on the story at the instruction of his lawyers. Pearlman "provided a statement to law enforcement that was useful in the sheriff's office investigation of our case," state prosecutor Robin Wilkinson told the Sentinel. Pearlman, who pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy charges earlier this year and agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors, is listed as a potential witness in the murder trial.

In May, Pearlman was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for his role in a decades-long financial scheme that prosecutors say defrauded investors and banks out of hundreds of millions of dollars. He was moved last week to a medium-security prison in Atlanta, and one of his lawyers said he will seek a federal sentence reduction in the future based on the "very valuable and relevant" information he has provided in the Gordon murder investigation.

• Backstreet Boys
• *NSYNC

Christina Aguilera, Paris Hilton And More At Motorola's Eighth Anniversary Party

• Christina Aguilera
• No Doubt
• Paris Hilton
• Backstreet Boys

AJ McLean, Nick Van Exel & Dee Snider

• Backstreet Boys
• Twisted Sister

Lindsay, Paris, Hilary, Chingy And More At The 2005 American Music Awards

• Lindsay Lohan
• Hilary Duff
• Chingy
• Pharrell Williams
• Bow Wow

Dominique Shines

• Diddy
• Backstreet Boys

Aundrea's Dance-Off

• Diddy
• Backstreet Boys

Gwen, Jen, Kelly, Jesse, Backstreet At Z100's Zootopia 2005 Show

• Gwen Stefani
• Jesse McCartney
• Frankie J
• Gavin DeGraw
• Black Eyed Peas

Kelly Clarkson, BSB, Lindsay Lohan, Ryan Cabrera At KIIS-FM's Wango Tango Concert, 05.14.05

• Ryan Cabrera
• Lindsay Lohan
• Black Eyed Peas
• Frankie J
• Backstreet Boys

Exclusive Photos From The Backstreet Boys Video "Incomplete"

• Backstreet Boys

Backstreet Boys live at Irving Plaza in NYC 03.22.2005

• Backstreet Boys

MusiCares 2005 Person Of The Year Ceremony 02.11.2005

• India.Arie
• Backstreet Boys
• Neil Young
• John Legend
• Red Hot Chili Peppers