Joey McIntyre: 8:09

When you've been in New Kids on the Block, you'll always be branded a teen idol whether you like it or not. But Joey McIntyre sounds more adult on this new album than he ever has before -- and the result is a welcome gust of fresh air. McIntyre, who also stars in the TV show "Boston Public," lives in Los Angeles, but his soul is still in his native Boston judging from the album's first single, "L.A. Blue," with its line, "L.A. Blue momentarily got me down . . . I hope to find my way back home soon." McIntyre finds his way through the most sophisticated songs of his career, including the romantic pop of "Love Me That Way," the acoustic-edged "I'd Never Get Over You," and the Beatles-esque "Falling." This album, named for the birthday of his wife (Aug. 9), is a noticeable step up from his last disc, "Meet Joe Mac," which still tried to embrace the teen-pop camp. The new album has a couple of dance-pop songs that don't cut it (the clumsy "This Is Different" has him uttering the verse, "Girl, I know you're bigger than Madonna/To be your boyfriend it would be an honor"), but most songs enter a more thoughtful, adult-pop camp, which makes sense for an artist now in his early thirties. McIntyre also co-wrote nine of the 10 tracks, which indicates that music is still as important as his TV career. And that's a good sign, because McIntyre still has potential after all these years if he chooses the right material.