The BACKSTREET BOYS front and center - YM January 00
WHO'S DEFINING THE MUSICAL MOMENT AT THE TURN OF THE MILLENNIUM? BSB. HERE, A LARGER-THAN-LIFE APPREICATION.
Anyone, anywhere on the planet, who's been within earshot of a radio lately knows there's been a revolution. That is: life before the Backstreet Boys, and life after.
Not that the final years of the old millennium weren't bursting with talent--from Ricky Martin to Lauryn Hill, from Will Smith to Mariah Carey--but BSB have crossed the list from mega-hitmeisters to international phenomena. Plus, they've spawned a movement of boy bands who, inspired by Backstreet's strength, went on to forge their own unique sounds and to stage presences: 'N Sync, 98º, LFO, No Authority...and there are bound to be even more by the time you turn this page.
What kind of musical mojo has us all humming their hits and tapping our toes? Powerhouse pop critics find themselves gushing, describing the "melodic claws" of BSB's songs; praising their "impassioned harmonies"; and calling their sound "graceful," "soulful," and "hymlike." Millions of fans have responded with a resounding "Amen!" by buying their sophomore album, aptly named Millennium, in record-breaking numbers. The U.S. tour, sweeping the nation right now, has sold out city by city, literally in minutes. Their cool and classy videos drop onto MTV like A-bombs, blowing all other TRL competitors out of the water.
Of course, music is an outgoing conversation, and BSB have been the '90's answer to the question, "Who are the next New Kids On The Block, Jackson Five, Bee Gees, Beach Boys, or Beatles?" Each group has staked its claim with a special identity, even beyond its musical contributions. For BSB, it's a string of S's: sweet, sincere, serious, sexy. Of course, they're also delicious to behold, both boyish and manly--and 100% babes.
Which explains why BSB have won million of fans, all utterly Boy-bonded and Street-smart. BSB's songs are the anthems of a generation. Their music has become the sound track for the new millennium, and fans are more than willing to follow wherever they lead.