Kevin: We took the break because it was much, much needed. We had a lot of success and we're very grateful for that but, at the end of the Black and Blue tour in 2001, we went through a lot of stuff that year. AJ went into rehab, with 9/11 going on, there was alot of negativity over us and we weren't having as much fun anymore. We were burned out, we were taking our careers for granted, we were taking each other for granted. And we decided to step away. Most importantly, AJ took the time that he needed to focus on himself. We're very proud of him. He's two and a half years sober. He's done a complete 360.

AJ: Life is much better this way. I'll actually be able to remember all the stuff that we're doing right now! 'Cos before, if you'd asked me where we were in 2000, I'd have had no idea. I'm the strongest I've ever been, mentally and physically. I feel like I'm part of the group again. There was a time that I felt like I was over here and they were over here. Now we're all right here again. And it definitely shows on this album.

AJ: Yeah, but I'm horrible at driving stick! I can do it but I don't like doing it. This was a '66, which is my favourite car in the world. But it was so embarrassing, driving this beautiful American muscle car and trying to be cool… and then you stall it! You start grinding the clutch!

Kevin: The catalyst for us coming back was AJ did a special thing on Oprah, talking about his recovery and we all surprised him for that. We flew in and appeared on the show with him and, after that, we got together and talked and everybody felt we were all in a great place. Brian needed some time, he'd just a new baby boy, we all needed to do our own thing and breathe for a minute, but it felt right. And that's why we're back.

Brian: During that four-year down-time, whatever we were doing as individuals there was never a day that went by that we weren't approached by somebody saying: 'When's the next Backstreet record coming out?' The fans still love us, and we appreciate that. They still love the music. There's a lot of work left to be done for the Backstreet Boys.

Kevin: There's 12 years of history together here - and we take pride in that because, for the longest time, in interviews it was like: 'How long do think this is going to last?' After our first record, it was: 'We've gotta prove that we're not just a flash in the pan.' So we came out with Millennium and then that did good. It's like people, the critics didn't want to give us any sort of credit for all that we had accomplished, and the fact that we'd stayed together. But 73 million albums sold, 12 years together, give us some credit! Come on!

AJ: It was really good to see everybody. We had talked over the break, obviously. We didn't just say: 'Okay, see ya! Screw you! I don't want to talk to you anymore!' Everybody talked and communicated. The first week was little rough vocally, 'cos we hadn't really sung much during the whole break - except Kevin who was doing Broadway. But, once we got the cobwebs off, everybody was really enjoying it and it started going smooth.

AJ: It's a little bit of a departure from what people are used to hearing from us, but it's still us. We've simplified the vocals. It's not each of us taking a lead and splitting up verses. It's not five-part harmony on every song. At the most we have three-part harmony on songs.

Nick: We were talking to Simon Cowell, and he loved our song 'Incomplete'. And he told me it's still a pop song, its still a pop song with guitars, live drums and bass. But they're still pop songs - and that kind of stuck in my head, because it’s so true.

Kevin: Here in the United States now, our popular music is Eminem and 50 Cent. There’s not a lot of melodic, sing-a-long songs on the radio now. I feel bad for the kids growing up. When I was in high school, we had Journey and Chicago to slow dance to. You know when you have slow dances? Those were my days! Now who do they slow dance to? Who do they have their first kiss to?