By JIM BECKERMAN
It seemed like a millennium before the Backstreet Boys took the stage for their "Into the Millennium" tour, but the 50-minute wait was worth it for the hordes of screaming, mostly young, mostly female fans who packed the Continental Arena Thursday night for a sold-out show.
The place erupted like a teenage Circus Maximus as the boys rose up from one corner of the arena in a burst of orange smoke, and floated on futuristic skateboards over the heads of shrieking fans -- rebel A.J., elder statesman (26) Kevin, dreamy Howie, cute Brian, and really cute Nick.
"I want you guys to sit back and scream as loud as you can for the rest of our set," said A.J. to a crowd that was only too happy to oblige.
Backed by a five-piece band and 10 gyrating dancers for the first of a two-night stand that ended Friday night, the boys began the night in overdrive with "Larger Than Life" from their new "Millennium" album -- at seven million copies the year's bestseller.
"I think Jersey girls got it goin' on," noted Howie, as the crowd roared, green and blue glow sticks bobbed in the dark like neon fireflies, and roses, teddy bears, and other tributes cascaded onto the stage.
The five vocalists from Orlando, who went somersaulting back into the stratosphere, via wires, for "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)," are indeed flying high -- as the hottest boy toys to hit teen magazine covers since New Kids on the Block.
Naturally, they modeled an extensive wardrobe: everything from a space-age black-and-blue ensemble, to raspberry pants, gray vests, and spats for a retro barbershop number.
The Backstreet Boys aren't all bubble gum -- they harmonize well, have wicked stage moves, and some surprisingly catchy songs, including "As Long as You Love Me" (nice R&B feel) and the soulful "I'll Never Break Your Heart."
And just in case you don't think they're Real Musicians, they even bring a white baby grand floating down on the stage so that Kevin can do a moody duet with sax player Mindi Abair. Oh yeah, the boy can play.
For a show this big and flashy, "Into the Millennium" has a surprisingly simple, elegant production design (credited to the Backstreet Boys and Mark Ravitz). Like other teen idols before them, the Backstreet Boys have a difficult row to hoe -- being edgy and dark enough to satisfy the teen id, while being wholesome enough for their parents.
They walked that tightrope with surprising ease Thursday -- scowling, rapping, and break dancing like a bunch of teen hoodlums, and then turning around to sweetly serenade stage manager Gary Perkins with "Happy Birthday" in five-part harmony.
They even brought moms and daughters from the audience onstage for "The Perfect Fan," a paean to mother love from their latest album (on which the boys have co-writing credit).
So while teens are fantasizing about the perfect date, moms can fantasize about the perfect son. No dummies, these guys. source:www.bergen.com
Staff Writer
