It seems fitting that a former member of the most cutting edge boy band to surface in the late nineties should produce the best 'after the band' solo effort. Abs blends his personal style with a somewhat predictable corporate pop turnout to create a decent pop/dance album that surpasses much more critically acclaimed efforts by the likes of former Nsync members JC Chasez and Justin Timberlake.
While some tracks follow an expected formula, such as 'Miss Perfect', 'Angel' and 'Shame', Abs' more eclectic style comes out in the more experimental tracks like 'What You Got', 'Roll With Me' and the daringly unique 'Emotional'. It is a great pity that the album was never introduced to the US market. Tracks like '7 Ways', which calls to mind the successful freestyle format of the early nineties (think: Johnny O and Cynthia) and the irresistibly danceable tracks 'Stop Sign' and 'Back to the Limbo' would have created a buzz if they had reached the proper audience, not to mention the soulfully sorrowful 'Rain', one of the better ballads to come out of the UK in some time.

Bottom line? Drop 'Now or Never, put down 'Schizophrenic' and for heaven's sake, run away screaming from 'Justified', and pick up a copy of 'Abstract Theory' instead. Its great pop music that's not hiding behind any prepackaged facade and worth every penny.