New Orleans Times-Picayune review: 11/20/99 New Orleans, LA

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Nov 23, 2099 Source: The Times-Picayune, New Orleans Submitted By: ChefAmy7@aol.com Backstreet Boys prove no one else comes close among today's boy bands Fans at sold-out arena get their money's worth by Keith Spera, Music Critic They came, they saw, they screamed for the Backstreet Boys during the reigning boy band of the moment's sold-out show last night at the New Orleans Arena. Give the Boys credit: Though they made a mint hawking $5 laminated portraits and $30 T-shirts, they kept ticket prices to a relatively reasonable $38, yet didn't skimp on the show. The pentagonal, in the round stage at the center of the arena floor boasted an elevating platform. Huge video screens verified the identities of the Boys for those in the nosebleed seats. In keeping with the futuristic theme of "Millennium," the group's current album, assorted lighting pods smoked and flashed like spaceships. The Boys entered atop "Back to the Future"-style skateboards, suspended by harnesses from a truss running along the ceiling. All smoke and mirrors aside, the show was about the five Boys, their voices, and their pin-up worthy selves. The band members ---- Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, A.J. McLean and Kevin Richardson ------each staked out one of the stage's five sides, working the crowd. Not that their frenzied legions needed to be any more excited; waves of screeches rolled through the arena with the start of each song and each Boy's lead vocal. Despite dealing with similar adulation at every tour stop, the Boys proved to be affable, engaging stars, picking up and wearing Mardi Gras beads that were tossed onstage, even collecting some of the hats, roses, and stuffed animals that were chucked their way. They were loose enough to clown around ------who knew Littrell could spin a basketball on his fingers so expertly?-----yet were spot-on with their choreography and vocals. The Boys have said that they are out to revive the spirit of classic vocal groups, and much of their show hinged on their harmonies. Unlike some other pop acts that have passed through town in recent months, most of the Backstreet Boys' vocals seemed to be live, especially on the ballads, when the nuances of their individual voices came through. At the start of one lengthy set of ballads, they ascended atop the center platform in matching vests, rose-colored slacks, crooning "I'll Never Break Your Heart," "No One Else Comes Close" and "Spanish Eyes." They dedicated "Show Me The Meaning of Being Lonely" to Denniz Pop, the co-writer of some of their earliest material, who died of cancer. After another costume change, the re-emerged in the encore to pick up the pace again with "It's Gotta Be You." Momentum flagged during a long, drawn-out introduction of the 10 dancers and six musicians who augmented the Boys, before the finale of "I Want It That Way" the mid-tempo smash single from "Millennium." As far as disposable pop songs go, "I Want It That Way" is not bad. The Boys'' voices weave in and out of the smart arrangement, showing off the best of what they have to offer. Comparisons to 'N Sync, that other wildly popular boy band, are all too obvious, but I'll make one anyway: Having seen both of them this year, it's clear which is the more seasoned, the more professional, and has the better material. Love 'em or hate 'em for what they are, the Backstreet Boys can at least back up the hype. Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: markus http://imrdsoacha.gov.co/silvitra-120mg-qrms Submitted by: marvilkg Submitted by: kipetok Submitted by: ppionerka Submitted by: James Submitted by: Greg Guepy Submitted by: Ann Submitted by: Paulo Submitted by: Eugene Submitted by: Louise Click here to see more comments. Comment on this item. Next Item: Kansas City Star Review: 11/18/99 Kansas City, MO Prev Item: Memphis Commercial Appeal Review: 11/21/99 Memphis, TN