New album cover revealed
January 28th, 2010
Here’s the cover for the new boyzone album, “Brother”, which is due for release on 8th March.
In December 2009 Keith, Mikey, Ronan and Shane were still grieving and making some very tough decisions about what the future should be for them as a band, not least whether this album should ever see the light of day. They agreed that the best thing that they could do to pay tribute to Stephen was to pick themselves up and get the show back on the road. So they headed back to the studio and finished the album, knowing in their hearts that it was the right thing to do.
They treasured the vocals that Stephen had recorded, making the experience in the studio a hard and troubling time, but one which only served to bring the group even closer together.
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Let us know what you think of the cover.
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This is crazy- people are actually saying they are not gonna buy the album because Stephen isn’t on the cover??!! Crazy! And you call yourselves true fans??
Anyone can see how much the Boyz love Stephen and how much they miss him- they will not have made this decision lightly. As others have said, I’m sure Stephen will be in the album artwork, and the album is dedicated to him. I think they are in a no-win situation- the press would have made a huge thing of it if they put Stephen on the cover, and critics are already slating them for ‘cashing in’ on Stephen’s tragic death. Although that’s bullshit- they were always going to release the album.
Anyway, I think true fans will get behind the lads and support them in this difficult time.
I’ve been a huge fan since the beginning. Stephen was/is my favourite.
When i first saw the cover of course i was a little upset, not because they had “left him off” the cover but because you can see that he is in their every thought. Their expressions say it all.
I hope the lads DON’T change the cover. I think it’s lovely. I know Stephen will be in the booklet and it’s *only* a cover. His vocals are the most important thing and they’re on the album. I’m proud of the lads and how they’re coping. Makes me proud to call myself a Boyzone fan. Some “fans” comments on here make me ashamed to call myself a fan.
Well done lads and RIP Steo xoxoxo
I just want to say i can’t believe how incredibly insensitive and selfish so many of these comments are.
I think it is a beautiful, tasteful cover, the boyz are obviously reminiscing about Steo, their ‘Brother’and i’m sure it must have been so difficult to make without Steo. We do not need a picture of Steo to help keep his memory alive. He will always live on through the music and our memories. The album is dedicated to him and he will no doubt be in photos throughout the booklet.
We are all grieving the loss of someone who meant and still means so much to us, but try and think how the boyz are feeling. They have lost their best friend and brother. They are the ones who were with him every day and who have a big gap in thier lives. They are trying to release this album FOR HIM, even though they are still trying to make sense of what has happened and take each day at a time. They’re releasing the album for Steo cos he loved it and it meant so much to him and for the fans because they know how much it means to us to hear these last few vocals.
How dare anyone suggest that they are being disrespectful or that they have already forgotten Steo.
And if they lose some of you as fans because of this, then you really weren’t fans in the first place.
Boyz, i love the cover. I’m so proud of you and will never stop supporting you.
Love and hugs
Louise xxxxxxxxx
Sorry but I just can’t agree with people criticising the Boyz for this album cover – do you not think they will have thought long and hard about this? I am sure that, like Ronan’s album this album will be dedicated to Stephen. Like it or not, they are walking a fine line between keeping Stephen fans (of which I am one) happy and making sure the press don’t accuse them of ‘cashing in’. I think there needs to be a bit less judgement and a bit more understanding here – of course fans have been upset by the loss of Stephen but he was their FRIEND, their BROTHER – do you not think it’s been hard on the Boyz???? I am certain they have not forgotten him by any stretch of the imagination – you just need to listen to what they are actually saying to know that. I also think both Andrew and Stephen’s family will have been consulted – maybe this is for them? How do you think they would feel trying to go for their shopping etc and being faced with hundreds of pictures of their son, husband, brother, who they’ve so recently lost????
Boyz, I have always been a fan of the group, not of one member (I certainly couldn’t pick a favourite at gunpoint) and I was heartbroken by the loss of Stephen but there is no doubt in my mind – you will have thought carefully about this, and you will no doubt continue to uphold Stephen’s memory. The cover is a good one – I am sure if you could have Stephen with you to appear you would have moved heaven and earth to do so. Keep your chins up, most fans are right behind you.xxx
I absolutely love the cover for the new album and I can’t wait to hear it
It’s so sad that Steo is no longer with us – just writing that sentence almost has me in tears, cuz I miss him so much
And it still looks weird seeing only 4 of the boyz – but it’s really clear that they were all thinking of Steo during the photoshoot.
I think it’s a beautiful tribute and I’m so proud of my boyz for their strength in this terribly sad time.
I will always support the lads 100% and keep Steo in my heart and thoughts <3
I think the album cover is beautiful and a fitting tribute. The fact that Stephen is missing from the cover makes it all the more poignant, the guys faces say it all, grieving for Steo their Brother.
I am so glad the Boys have had the strength to bring out this album in Stephen’s memory, it has been a tough few months for them and they could have easily walked away and these tracks would never have been heard, but thankfully they didn’t.
They have had a lot of hard decisions to make and still have more to come and will support them 100% in any they make.
I love the cover.
I am an avid Stephen fan, and at first when I saw the album cover I was shocked that he wasn’t on it but then I thought that if the guys want to be able to move forward this is going to be what they are from now on. I will buy the cd when its out, and continue to support the boys if they decide to continue which I truely hope that they do. As much as it hurts to see them without Steo, Steo would want then to continue on cos no matter what Steo will ALWAYS be apart of Boyzone. When ever those 4 guys are together Steo is with them.
They could of walked away and not released anything more, but in dedication to their bandmate, their friend, their brother and all of his fans, they released his vocals for the last time. I am so proud to call myself a Stephen fan and even more a Boyzone fan, cos it couldn’t of been easy for the 4 of them to do what they have done. I for one congratulate Ronan, Keith, Mikey and Shane on the courage that they have shown since 10th October 2009. Their love for Stephen is commendable. Be proud boyz cos I know Stephen would be proud too.
Congrats on the video release of “gave it all away”, I love it and I think its one of the best I have ever seen. Its emotional but the love and dedication you have for Stephen shows through. I can’t wait to buy the new cd.
I will love and support all of the guys no matter what they decide, and that doesn’t change the way I feel for Stephen either.
Debbi xx
I will support the boys 100%
hi i’m back
and i’m sorry but i have to say this
YOU FANS MAKE ME SICK!!!!!
we all want stephen on that cover, we all miss stephen
i’m a fan off steo he was my sweet liltle boy
icried so many tears for him and i still do
but we’ve got to move on
in my bedroom there are more pictures off steo and bz than me and my boyfriend!!!!!
but god some off you are so selfish
how dear you call yourself a boyzone fan
sorry i say this but i have to
to all you out there
don’t forget steo is watching us if he see this all he would be sad and heartbreaking
i’m a boyzone fan since 1994 and i miss steo so much but hey there are four other guys who needs our support and i always will support them!!!
ALWAYS
i can’t say how sad and angry i am
it really makes me cry
guys i just wanne say i really love you
i wasn’t be able to go to the come back tour
and i don’t now what your future plans are
but there are fans out there
that will always support you guys
btw nancy: how long are you a (what do you call yourself) a boyzone fan?
i just think it is not fair
you hurt steo and the boys if you not buy the album
sorry but i think it’s a shame that you are a bz fan who doesn’t gonne buy the album sorry
oh i forgot something
hope you fans are gonne buy that album and let’s make it a number one
for steo for ro for mike for keith and for shano
I think the album is cover is beautiful, it can be looked at in a few ways the opinions on here are personal I know this album is a memorial album for Steo but I look at it as a new beginning for the remaining four boys. I know this album is a memorial album for Steo but
it would be nice to see Stephen on here but for some people not to want to buy it coz Stephen isnt on there is small minded i know a lot of people loved Stephen so maybe those people should think about buying it to get Stephen a last number one album.
Hi Guys,
The cover is lovely. I think you made the right choice by putting the four of you on the cover. I know the album is a tribute to Stephen but by the fact that you have released the album is wonderful. The front cover shows the way forward for Boyzone.
I do hope that you carry on and return to touring. I am sure that Stephen wouldn’t want you to stop doing something that you love – he will be with you always.
It must have been a very hard dicision to make about the cover but I have to say this and I may up set a few people but it is my opinion.
My fave is Ronan and always will be – Stephen was my second best:
I adored Stephen in many ways he light up the stage with his excitement, enthusiasm and his wonderful cheeky smile but…. Boyzone can not keep going in the shadow of Stephen forever. We have to remember the good times by now look forward knowing that Stephen is right by our sides and encouraging us ahead. I cry evertime I hear his voice and the first sentence of the new single takes my breath away – how ironic are those words now.
But we have to move on
take care guys love to you all xxxx
My Ode for Stephen:
My candle is shining
As bright as your star
The light will go on
So you’re not in the dark
Just seen the guys carry you into Gods’ house
You’re singing with the Angels
You won’t be bored now
Too young to die
So much to do
Boyzone on a roll
You should be there too
Thoughtful and kind
A shoulder to lean on
When life was unkind
I will never forget you
You’re still here with me
You leave an amazing legacy
For all fans to see
R.I.P. Stephen – my love to you xxxxx
Karen Langley
This must have been a horrible decision to make. I love the cover – Brother is so obviously Stephen and you can see on the faces of the Boyz they are thinking of him. We should be greatful the Boyz found the strength to finish the album for Steo. They could so easily have pushed it into the deepest, darkest corner. I am so proud of the Boyz and Steo will be all over that album. I can’t see how some people are blaming Ronan – I’m sure he didn’t decide on his own. Being a BZ fan from day one I am shocked how some other “fans” can say they aren’t going to buy the album – I certainly don’t think Steo would want that.
Well done Boyz – always proud to be a fan and you have my support 100%. Lets not bicker and get “Gave It All Away” and “Brother” to the top where it belongs.
First of all, I really hope that the Boyz don’t see some of the hurtful comments that have been posted on here. I can’t believe that, at a time like this people feel the need to be so disrespectful. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I think some people have gone too far and have not thought about the impact that their comments could have on others reading them.
I personally think whichever road the Boyz went down they would have been slated, if the cover had been just Steo, we would have asked where the other 4 were, and the lads would have been accused by the press of cashing in and trying to sell the album by using Steo. If there had been a pic of all five, I believe that it wouldn’t have looked right. No matter we believe we have to remember that Boyzone as we knew them no longer exist, by showing the four of them on the cover we are being presented with the Boyzone that we have know. And as a fan since the beginning I believe we need to stick by them now more than ever. I also think that it’s not a decision that they came to lightly, and I’m sure Steo’s family would have been consulted before any decision was made. However hard it is for us to see them as a 4 piece, it must be even more heartbreaking for the lads themselves.
Anyway back to the cover itself, I think it is beautiful, it is clear to me that they are thinking about Steo, and the title for me is the biggest tribute of all. I am sure that Steo will either be on the back cover or on the inside. People who are saying that they are going to boycott the album are betraying the Boyz in the worst way imaginable; they need our support now more than ever. And I for one will be sticking by them, no matter what they decide to do now, or in the future.
Hi Guys
Love the album cover, Thank you so much for releasing this album with the last recordings of Stephen. I love Gave it all away and i cant wait to hear the album.
love
Sarah xxxxxx
The lads are looking gorgeous. I love the cover…. Of course we all miss Steo and always will. Just because he isn’t on the cover doesn’t mean he is forgotten. Sadly the lads have to move on, awful thought I know, but it’s a fact. Steo will always be in their thoughts and hearts and remember…. whenever the four are together, Steo will be there in spirit.
Well done lads… I have pre ordered my copy of the album and the single. I will support you for ever more.
Ange xxx
hey everyone! i’m so sorry if i upset anyone with my comment, i think it was just shock and more sadness at the horrible loss of poor stephen. of course i’ll buy the album and WILL ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS SUPPORT THE BOYZ no matter what!! RIP stephen, still can’t, and never will get over his death xxxxx
I’m very sad that someone said who hope change the cover are not true fans. I love boyzone over ten years,especially Steo. I still can’t get over his death. I felt very sad when I saw the cover. How could someone say I’m not a true fan??? Everyone should be respected in her own opinion. I hope to change the cover because I think Steo’s vocals still are in the album and the album is the last one by all five boys. I absolutely understand how tough time the lads go through. Although fans have different views about the front cover, everyone miss stephen and support Boyzone.Let’s make the single and album number one.
Hello,
I am really so sad, so sad about the new cover I wantet to add: A picture of Stephen have to appear on the cover, in the middle or in the back, a little erased, there are a lot of examples. Stephen would deserve to have a wonderful cover for all he was doing in the group and for his amazing voice.
Of course I have pre ordered the album and the single, I’m looking forward.
Stephen was my sunshine every day, he’s for ever in my heart.He’s now my little angel.
Suzanne
I’m 15 and I love the cover to this album as it shows the guys as they are… But I also think that it looks a little weird without Stephen. It was came as a huge shock to me when Stephen died as I was brought up around their music and I love every song. I say good luck to the guys, you are amazing.
xxx
Hi guys,
I love the new album cover, i don’t feel stephen should be on the front cover as after all it is a tribute to him and i am guessing that there will probably be photos and nice words on the inside booklet in dedication to stephen.
I miss him like everyone does, but am hoping this will not be the end of boyzone. I have supported them from the very start all those years back.
I think the boyz deserve a huge congratulations on how they have dealt with stephen’s death. They have at all times been graceful and honorable to his memory and have done Stephen proud. they have been tactful when speaking with the press and have proved on more than 1 occasion their love and dedication for stephen. Well done guys!!!!
Good luck with the new album,
aim for a number 1 for steo
Jo x x x