Friday, April 4, 1997

It's a scream

Backstreet Boys whip audience into a frenzy

 Like The Beatles, Backstreet Boys effectively whip up their own brand of hysteria.

Although they may be more accurately referred to as the Fad Five.

Performing their first show in Calgary, the Orlando, Fla.-based fivesome had no real hand in writing of the songs or playing of the music last night at the Max Bell Centre.

But, to be fair, you must tip your hat to the group's limitless energy and conviction that they inject into their performance.

The concert began like an action-thriller, with flashing video shots of band members, followed by their baby pictures, all projected onto two screens above the stage.

Enter Backstreet Boys, who began by performing a medley that included the Sesame Street tune, If You're Happy and You Know It.

Backstreet Boys are to the dance, rap, soul genres what meringue is to lemon pie -- that is, visually appealing yet little more than whipped-up fluff; unique, appealing and interested, yet not very filling.

But that did not stop the 4,000 fans from jumping to their feet for the five vocalists.

During the group's opening number, We've Got It Going On, Backstreet Boys seemingly commanded the excitable concertgoers to chant in unison, "Everybody groove to the music/Everybody jam."

That they did, as the Max Bell Centre was transformed into a swooning, sweaty love-in.

This was followed by the band individually addressing the audience, leading to a cappella versions of songs by Color Me Badd, Boyz II Men and a fragment of a new Backstreet Boys tune.

This led to individual performances of covers, including Howie D.'s version of Prince's recent single (and an old Stylistics classic) Gee By Golly Wow.

The group is as much a carefully choreographed dance troupe as vocal performers.

They stalked the stage, striking pose after pose amid the backdrop of hi-fidelity, high-volume grooves and pulsing synthetic beats. And the audience -- comprised predominantly of fashion-focussed school girls (many with parents in tow) -- hung on every word, every beat and every pose.

Set List		Concert rating