When flying into a musical storm like the Backstreet Boys' sold-out concert that whirled through America West Arena on Tuesday, it's best to enlist an expert on the crew.

In my case, that's my 12-year-old daughter, Lauren, who discovered the Backstreet Boys after a few years as an 'N Sync fanatic.

Having blasted the Boys' multiplatinum Millennium repeatedly in our house and armed with notebooks and pens, we were ready for the real thing.

At the arena, we blended in easily with the crowd, dominated by girls in the 12-to-19 range, joined by a healthy smattering of twentysomethings and Baby Boomer parents.

We had been forewarned about the screaming, which started long before the five Backstreet Boys took the stage and built to an ultrasonic level.

The anticipation rose as the Star Wars theme played and white fog drifted near the futuristic stage. As lights flashed from UFO-like pods suspended above the crowd, and a voice counted down from 10, a procession of people holding lighted poles came onstage.

Then to an ear-piercing roar, the Backstreet Boys appeared at one end of the arena, suspended on illuminated snowboards.

"That's cool!" a wide-eyed Lauren exclaimed as they floated over the crowd to the stage.

Dressed in astronaut-type outfits, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, A.J. McLean, Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson jumped onto the pentagonal stage and marched around like they were headed for a space shuttle mission.

Lauren and other young listeners screamed approval of the group's choice for an opener, the upbeat, funky Larger Than Life.

Ten talented dancers and a six-piece band joined the stars. In general, the quintet was very strong on vocals. There really isn't a weak link, as there are in many other acts of this genre. The harmonies were clear and crisp, with each Boy carving a musical niche.

During their well-paced performance, the five shared the spotlight, with Littrell, 24, and Carter, 19, often stepping forward on songs like Get Down (You're the One for Me) and As Long As You Love Me, both from the group's self-titled debut album.

After Carter gave a friendly sales pitch for the new album, the group served up a generous sampling, including The One, Don't Want You Back and I Don't Want to Lose You Now.

Dad and daughter agreed that Quit Playing Games (With My Heart) was a high point. During the catchy, heartfelt tune, The Boys were hoisted above the crowd, nearly touching some of their ecstatic female admirers. Lauren's jaw dropped as Richardson "flew" nearby.

Lauren also sang hoarse but loud approval of the show-ending I Want It That Way.

Throughout the show, which included several way-cool costume changes, the heartthrobs did their best to return the crowd's good vibes. They accepted flowers and teddy bears, waving and winking.

They made the year for five mother-daughter pairs who joined them onstage for The Perfect Fan.

"They're all being so nice!" Lauren accurately remarked.

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