Backstreet's Back (Article from Singapore)

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Date: May 27, 2099
Source: Singapore Cable Vision (cable TV guide)
Submitted By: Manoja

With two chart-topping albums under their belt, 27 million record sales, sold-out concerts and hordes of screaming fans, what more could the Backstreet Boys want?

Lots. And we're talking new manager, new album, new single, new world tour and new directions. In a nutshell, BSB=New Horizon+New Millennium.

To stick to the old pretty boy, fresh-faced routine would mean that they - Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough, A.J. Mclean and Nick Carter - are mere fluffy popsters with brawn(heaps) but a little brains. Stereotype abound, but it be a grave injustice given their obvious talent and drive.

True, they are not angst-ridden, thought-provoking lyricists, who sell philosophy as much as music, but neither are they lip-synching Milli Vanillis. They are normal. Which makes them weird in an industry chock-full of offbeat personas.

Their level-headedness and surprising maturity is apparent in their latest album, Millennium, which name alludes to the next chapter in the group's story. A number of tracks were co-written by the guys, with additional producers involved, but it is not a drastic overhaul.

"We're not going to venture far from what we've done. Like they say. if it ain't broke, don't try fixing it...it's going to be a growth for us musically," explained Howie.

In a fickle industry of MTV-generated sounds and pop visuals, the boys seem to realise their frality and are seeking credibility. Says AJ, "We're not looking to be a nice flash in the pan. We really want to be respected for our music more than anything." Cliche, we squeak, but they seem to be making some headway. Music accolades, Grammy nominations and a diamond honour for selling more than 10 million copies of their self-titled debut album. Backstreet Boys is serious success.

AJ has noted that others. besides teenagers have been turning up for their concerts. "We get a lot of young fans. The really cool part is like recently. I've been seeing a lot of like couples, a lot more guys, families, young, old, it's really cool."

Younger fans though remain the bulk of their following. The challenge lies in th keeping their follwers as they grow from Bouhood to Manhood. It helps that they have an unpretentious attitude and a genuine concern for their fans.

Part of the growing up process also entails discovering their individuality.

There have been hints that solo acts are in store. AJ said,"The one group we would like to emulate in the way they did things is New Edition(which included Bobby Brown). They were out there for so many years, took a break, did their soling and then got back together and are still going strong."

It's not that the team has had a falling out. They have a close freindship and rapport, which is not easy, considering the egos. differing musical tastes and hours on the road.

Success didn't come readily to the quintet. Intially rejected by their homeland and dismissed as Boyzone wannabes, the band embarked on a gruelling European tour to hype their song We've Got It Going On. Along the way, there were lawsuits, a medical crisis(Brian had an open-heart surgery)and a personal tagedy(Howie's sister passed away from Lupus).

But they banded together and proven their staying power and loyalty to each other. Like the way they choose to sack their previous management, but kept a long-time manager Louis Pearlman on with a partnership arrangement.

It is a rare sight. Five clean-living self-confessed Christians making it in the bitch-stab-scandal world of Pop. But we are rooting for them as the winners in a race where few good guys finish first.

Visit Manoja's site by clicking here.

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