Millennium Review: The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: May 20, 2099 Source: The Minneapolis Star Tribune Submitted By: Nicole You'd figure the plan for the Backstreet Boys would be simple: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. But possible overexposure by the biggest-selling band of 1998 was enough reason to make a slight change on BSB's second CD. Not straying too far from their lite-funk sound, the CD kicks off with "Larger Than Life." "All you people can't you see, can't you see how your love's affecting our reality," they chant interchangably to their billions of teenage worshipers on a tune that could pass for "Everybody (Backstreet's Back) Part Duex." Then the experimentation begins. Most of the songs are acoustic-driven except the first single, the pleading "I Want It That Way," and "It's Gotta Be You" (cowritten by Euro-pop whiz Max Martin and Mutt lange of Shania Twain fame). "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely" sounds eerily like Madonna's 1987 smash "La Isla Bonita." And "No One Else Comes Close" takes BSB into Boyz II Men territory with harps and choir-like backround vocals. Have they been watching a little too much "MTV Unplugged"? Maybe. But it's a BSB's attempt to emerge from the constantly swelling boy-band field. They valiantly (or vainly) co-wrote or played instruments on four songs as a sign of their growth (or control). At least the Backstreet Boys have their millions (dollars or fans, take your pick) to fall back on. Hit or miss, this CD will have listeners screaming or debating into the next millennium. Comment on this item. Next Item: Millennium Review: GapGirl727 Prev Item: Becca Reviews SNL: She Was There