Memphis Commercial Appeal Review: 11/21/99 Memphis, TN

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Nov 23, 2099 Source: The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN Submitted By: Y Backstreet Boys had 'em swooning at Pyramid MUSIC REVIEW Tight harmonies + terrific effects = good show By Bill Ellis The Commercial Appeal How do you react to a phenomenon, especially one that has sold some 40 million records worldwide and makes an entrance by cable-flying onto the stage? If you were one of 20,107 (mostly) teenage girls at The Pyramid, where the Backstreet Boys played Sunday to the second-largest event in the building's history, you screamed, jumped, blushed, cried, screamed, hyperventilated and screamed again. If, however, you were the one male of drinking age who was not a daddy but instead a music writer for the local daily, you left your critical faculties at home with your Elvis Presley, Elton John, Michael Jackson and Madonna records (ah, phenomenons past). Even Shania Twain and Alanis Morissette felt shut out of the clubhouse tonight. Who's to say if the Backstreet Boys will ultimately be judged less a modern-day Beatles than our Bay City Rollers? As the future encroaches with rapid uncertainty, the Backstreet crew are the kings of pop, offering optimism and eyes-wide-open anticipation of a brave new world when other popular forms from rap to rock offer only nihilism. Don't miss the significance of Backstreet's latest album title, simply called "Millennium." The packed Pyramid got its piggy bank's worth: two hours of nonstop dancing and choreographed moves, pyrotechnics, a rainbow-filled light show, costume changes and an in-the-round stage - reminiscent of Metallica's last arena tour - that gave everyone a good seat, none better than when the limber Backstreeters took wing again, this time flying right over the adoring horde. There was no evidence of Milli Vanilli trickery here. A real band played behind the five singers - Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, A. J. McLean and Kevin Richardson - who offered the same airy vocalizing and tight harmonies live that they pull off on record. And because they're capable of tunes so honestly catchy as Quit Playing Games With My Heart, Everybody (Backstreet's Back) and I Want It That Way, the Backstreet Boys deserve the commercial lead they maintain over boy-band competition 'N Sync and 98 Degrees. Candy-pop opener Mandy Moore got her 15 minutes of fame, literally. The second opener, E.Y.C. ("Express Yourself Clearly"), extended their stay by an extra 10 minutes and surprised the audience, who roared en masse as if Backstreet were taking the stage. When it dawned (rather quickly) on the sea of teens that only three guys were doing the dancing, the reaction dropped by several decibels from unbounded ecstasy to mere enthrallment. Thousands of girls hadn't been saving their money for this night, you see -- they had been saving their hearts. To reach music writer Bill Ellis, call 529-2517 or E-mail ellis@gomemphis.com Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: johnansaz http://imrdsoacha.gov.co/silvitra-120mg-qrms Comment on this item. Next Item: New Orleans Times-Picayune review: 11/20/99 New Orleans, LA Prev Item: Post Herald Review: 11/23/99 Birmingham, AL