This is something that has been bothering me for a long time. I used to go to message boards until I realized that I have a temper and will go on huge venting sessions if I disagree with someone...But anyway! I would go to message boards, and people would be saying, "Friends don't let friends listen to pop music," (for my take on this, click here.) and how all pop groups lip sync.

Granted, some ::cough BRITNEY cough:: lipsync at performances, but since this is an N Sync site, I will focus on them.

They have admitted to sometimes using a track underneath some of their fast songs, but they do sing over it. However, most of the performances I have seen they were doing their own LIVE stuff. And now, the reasons etc.

I always wonder if those people have ever actually listened to an N Sync CD. If you watch them perform after listening to a CD, you can normally tell that the two sound different. Maybe JC varied how he held out a note, or maybe you could actually hear Lance. Then there are the obvious things such as Joey's interlude in I Want You Back. (I want you back, baby. I want you back, girl...)

Another thing to note are the expressions on their faces. You can tell if Justin is having trouble hitting a note, you can see him really concentrating, and you can hear a slight strain. Also, you will note that sometimes (such as JC did in the HBO concert during Tearin' Up My Heart)that one of the guys will scream out a couple of words instead of singing them. Don't you think that's a little much for somebody to remember. I mean, seriously. Do you think they really have enough brain capacity to go, "Ok, I have to lip sync, dance, make this strained looking face during the 2nd chorus, and remember to interact/shout to the audience instead of singing during the bridge?" HELL NO! To get all of that in exactly the right spots would be next to impossible.

And finally, to get technical: Watch Road to Celebrity at the end when they perform POP. You can tell they were having some mic troubles, static, etc. You will also notice that once Justin began leading he ever-so-slightly adjusted his microphone. And, lo and behold, he was louder! OMG, who ever would have thought of that?

I know I said "finally," implying that I was done. But I ain't. I still have one more argument in me. So, here it goes: I am in marching band. I know a lot of you are just like, "Oh, marching band. They march. Big whoop." But it actually is a lot of work. It takes a LOT of work to be able to play and march at the same time without sounding shaky. And we have to do this whether it is 45 degrees out or 105. There are times when you are literally gasping for breath. And while our choreography may not be as complex as N Sync's, it still has some tricky parts, and you have to count to yourself, and there is a lot to remember. And while we don't sing, playing instruments takes up a lot of air, sometimes more, I'm sure, than singing requires. (All singers- NO HATE MAIL! I'm just saying sometimes singers can relax during a part, while instruments normally do not have that option.) But the point is, we do it. And so far, we're doing pretty well at it, and we always have in the years past.

You may be wondering what this has to do with the topic. Well, here you go: When was the last time you heard somebody say, "Oh, Jefferson High School's marching band is so fake, they just march over a recording"? Hmmm? Never, right? So, if it's believable that those in marching band can do what they do (and, I admit, most of us aren't at top notch physical condition), then how come nobody can believe it when it comes to five very talented, very fit guys?

That's all I have to say. Good night.