Where are the big three headed?

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Feb 14, 2000 Source: Orange County Register (California) Submitted By: Tamiko Tinker February 13, 2000 By BEN WENER/The Register Here to stay or gone next week? We give the lowdown on where the three big trends of last year may be headed as we enter the heart of 2000. KID-POP Demographic: Clean-cut kids, ages 5-18 and sometimes older, most of whom wouldn't know Korn from Sugar Corn Pops or Limp Bizkit from a Sausage McMuffin. The exemplar: It's hard to pinpoint one, as there are few post-Beatles teen idols that have had any enduring popularity. Duran Duran may be the closest example, given that the group survived defections and backlashes, reinvented its sound and can still fill most mid-size amphitheaters when it tours. Also notable: Debbie Gibson, not for fantastic music, but for making something of a transition to Broadway. Of course, then she became Deborah Gibson. On the other hand: For every Britney, there's a Tiffany; for every 'N Sync, a New Kids on the Block; for every 98«, a Bay City Rollers. And then there's Shaun Cassidy and Leif Garrett and Wham! and ... Who will last?: Do we really think anyone can? Kid-pop outfits have ridiculously brief life spans; most don't make it past five years. The best bet so far seems to be Christina Aguilera, who has genuine vocal chops. Assuming she can pour herself out of "Genie in a Bottle" novelties and move more toward Mariah Carey balladry — without, of course, sounding exactly like Mariah — she could be another diva. A coming Spanish-language album will help keep her in vogue, though it's main selling point reportedly will be — what else? — a Spanish version of "Genie." Who won't?: An easy prediction: This time next year, assuming their "Millennium" tour is over, there are no more Backstreet Boys. Either they will have disbanded entirely or will be busy making solo records, promising that they haven't split up, they're just taking time off. Then the reunion album will come 20 years later. Ditto 'N Sync, though they should last longer, since a new album, "No Strings Attached," is due March 7. A yearlong tour should keep them from falling apart until well into 2001. Britney will attempt acting within a year, possibly succeeding, possibly failing and winding up selling out five years down the road for a huge paycheck to appear in Playboy. And B*Witched? Hey, kids, can you say All Saints? And don't even ask about the Spice Girls. The wild cards: Mandy Moore and Jessica Simpson. Yes, they seem like Britney knockoffs. But a backlash against Spears could mean these pop tarts sneak in and take her crown. (Of course, their fame could be just as fleeting.) Savage Garden could hang on, if only because the Australian duo's pulp pop has a strangely timeless appeal to casual music fans. And, don't laugh, but Hanson can't be counted out. Rumor is they are headed in a new, more adult rock direction, abetted by lots of jam band friends. It's not inconceivable that the Tulsa trio could catch a wave of support as pre-teens grow tired of slick dance-pop and start lusting for guitars. (Then again, they still look like girls.) Too soon to tell: Steps, already huge in Britain, youngster Sammie, LFO, M2M. Overall outlook: Kid-pop comes, and kid-pop goes. And kid-pop comes again. And then kid-pop goes again. It is perhaps the most sound of cyclic trends. What slows it? Tastes among teens, which are more unpredictable than La Nina in winter, and the economy. The minute the recession hits, the allowances will dry up and you'll be able to find Nick Carter T-shirts at the swap meet for $2.50. Comment on this item. Next Item: Backstreet Fans are #1 Prev Item: Into The Millennium with the Backstreet Boys