Never Gone

Never Gone is the fifth studio album (fourth in the United States) by American vocal group Backstreet Boys. It was released by Jive Records on June 14, 2005, as the successor to their fourth studio album Black & Blue (2000), after a short hiatus. The album differs musically from their previous albums, shifting from teen pop into pop rock tendencies. Unlike previous albums, it featured only live instruments. The album's title track is inspired by the death of Kevin Richardson's father, Jerald, who was also Brian Littrell's uncle. Originally due for release in 2004, Never Gone received mixed to negative reviews, with critics noting the band's shift to a more mature sound but finding the album safe and lacking the energy of their earlier hits. It opened number one in Germany and Greece and charted within the top ten in the majority of countries where it appeared. The album was certified gold and platinum in multiple countries and has sold over 3 million copies worldwide by 2007, including 1.8 million copies in the United States. The album's singles, led by "Incomplete," achieved strong international success, topping the Australian charts and reaching the top ten in several European countries, while later singles performed moderately in the United States and Europe. To further promote Never Gone, Backstreet Boys embarked on a 2005 club tour and the nearly 80-date Never Gone Tour across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, receiving generally positive reviews.