Millennium Review: Lexington Herald Leader

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: May 22, 2099 Source: The Lexington Herald Leader Submitted By: BeatlesBSB@aol.com Backstreet’s Back--and better Backstreet Boys Millennium *** Larger than Life, the intro track to the Backstreet Boys’ new Millennium album, tells it all. The rubbery Euro-pop groove (parts of the album were recorded in Sweden) features a cocky vocal swagger and a story that is a twist on the usual oh-my-stardom-is-such-a-misery theme that pop acts love to sell their fans. Larger Than Life is actually a densly arranged, fun saga of thanks. Gratitude. From pop stars. What a concept. Understanding Millenium’s appeal requires putting yourself in the center of the youth market, where the Backstreet Boys reign supreme. To be a stranger to that civilization is to simply not get it. But as Larger Than Life makes clear, the grooves, pop smarts and surprising vocal command make Millennium a pretty fum pop joyride. In a teen scene that continually craves fresh faces, this album should give the Backstreet Boys some staying power. Several of the songs sparkle with--dare I say it--pop innocence, which should turn them into staples on radio in the months ahead. Highlights include the lighter pop fabric of I Want It That Way and Back To Your Heart; the summery vocal makeup of Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely and Spanish Eyes; and the pristine balladry of I Need You Tonight and The One. Sure it’s all fluff. Has modern teen pop ever been--or even needed to be--anything else? The Perfect Fan will be of extra interest to local Backstreet fans. Lexingtonian Brian Littrel’s pop/gospel ode to his mother employs the choir of his alma mater, Tates Creek High School. Littrel sets himself up on this one. But the tune isn’t overly sentimental and--given to majestic orchestral sweep of its arrangement--has an unexpectedly organic feel about it. There’s not a canned percussion beat or synthesized trick to be found. C’mon now. A local star singing with honest devotion to his mom? How can you not be moved by that? None of the dance-oriented tracks (there are three) comes close to the economical grooves of Larger Than Life, though, and that’s where Millenium goes astray. Where ballads and midtempo sprees call on the group’s considerable vocal powess, Gotta Be You and Don’t Want You Back are full of the generic dance floor fodder that’s been done dozens of times. Still, most of the album wisely sticks to the vocal authority and breezy contemporary attitude that has made the group a pop sensation. In that sense, Millennium proves the Boys are definitly back. Walter Tunis - Music Critic Comment on this item. Next Item: Millennium Review: Amazon.com Prev Item: Millennium Review: San Diego Union-Tribune