Too cute to be sure

Combine four good-looking guys and hundreds of teenage girls and what do you get? Only a sold-out crowd screaming"98 Degrees" at the concert held at the Mac Hall at the U of C.

Girls, mostly teens, cried at the chance of getting even a glimpse of the band, which has gone gold with its new album, 98 Degrees and rising.

Though the concert was a huge success, the autograph session at Southcentre attracted an estimated 3,500 girls.

"I listen to them everyday. They're better than the Backstreet Boys," said Laura Brady, 12.

But you have to wonder whether these girls were here because of the group's talent, or their bodies and beautiful faces.

"They play good music, but the main reason is because they're good looking," admitted Cheryl McDonnel, 15.

After two hours of autographs and picture snapping, all the girls left fairly satisfied.

"They're so nice, especially Jeff," said Nikki Brady, 14.

The concert, however, was the real test of fans.

The opening act Joee came out singing Do you right, his popular dance song, which got the crowd moving.

Maestro was next with his 416 905, also known as the Toronto Party Anthem . He aroused the crowd by adding Calgary's area code 403 to the lyrics and it was unfortunate he was allotted only 15 minutes.

Finally, 98 Degrees came on stage and sang their dance hit Heat it Up, while grinding their bodies and pointing at pubescent girls in the audience.

Their medley included Offspring's Pretty Fly for a White Guy, Eminem's My Name Is and Prince's 1999.

They sang their hit, The Hardest Thing, thanked the audience and were gone. Briefly.

After being chanted back on, they did their No. 1 hit, Because of you, and shouted, "we love you!"

As the evening came to a close, one thing was apparent. Though the harmony of their intertwining vocals were satisfying, it was the swaying of their hips that attracted the mass of girls.

The group may be talented, but it is the possibility one of the guys will blow kisses or wink at someone in the audience that brings the fans in.

These guys still have a long way to go before they are recognized for more than their pretty faces.