Editing New Kids on the Block (section)

===1986–1987: ''New Kids on the Block'' (debut album)===
{{Main article|New Kids on the Block (album)}}
In April 1986, Columbia Records released the group's self-titled debut album. The album was almost exclusively written and produced by Maurice Starr, and featured mid-1980s [[bubblegum pop]] material. The first single, "[[Be My Girl (New Kids on the Block song)|Be My Girl]]", received minor airplay around the group's native Boston but failed to capture nationwide attention. The album's second single, "[[Stop It Girl]]", fared even worse. The New Kids went on tour around the New England states, singing wherever Starr could book them: in bars, school dances, and clubs. Nevertheless, Starr remained diligent and persuaded the label to allow the group to record a second album.