Backstreet back again

They have visited the Philippines at least two or three times. But it looks like their fans out here still have not had enough of them and are once more looking forward to watching the Backstreet Boys (BSB) in action in the This Is Us World Tour at the Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 27.

You all know the Backstreet Boys. They spearheaded the boy band revolution of the ’90s. They had this interesting quality of being able to mix dance tunes with romantic ballads in their albums that kids loved. You want to dance, go Get Down. You want to make out, then play I’ll Never Break Your Heart.

If I remember right, they released five albums and have sold over a hundred thousand units. Some of their biggest hits are Everybody, Backstreet’s Back, Larger Than Life, Quit Playing Games With My Heart, As Long As You Love Me, I Want It That Way, Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely and lots of others.

The Backstreet Boys is what is known in the trade as a “manufactured group.” That means somebody puts the group together instead of the members forming it themselves. The concept was not new. The Monkees during the ’60s was the first group of this sort. But it was because of the success of the BSB that we later got N’Sync, Boyzone, 98 Degrees, Westlife, Human Nature and many more from all over the world.

Most of these boy groups have already either disbanded or changed personnel, but the Backstreet has remained, in a way, intact and continually active for the past 15 years or so. I repeat, in a way, because the BSB is now down to four members instead of the original five.

No disbanding and no change happened. It was just that fifth guy Kevin Richardson, who was the oldest at 22 when BSB started felt that he should move on to other more age appropriate things. When last heard from, he was on tour in the Richard Gere role of the musical Chicago. He also played the part on Broadway and the West End in London.

 Presented by Araneta Coliseum and Viva Concerts & Events, the This Is Us World Tour, is the second by the BSB without Kevin and coincides with the release of the new album of the same title. Take note of that word, second. This means that Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell and AJ McLean have successfully hurdled the tests of being a foursome three years ago. That tour, which by the way, included a stop at the Araneta, was for the Unbreakable CD, their first album without Kevin.

Now available in the stores is This Is Us and boy, did they go out of their way to be different. Doubtless pleased over the market’s warm acceptance of Unbreakable, the BSB decided it was time they tried something new by updating the Backstreet Boys sound. Hip-hop stars T-Pain and Pitbull are among the Boys’ collaborators in the CD. The presence of those names should give you an idea of what the album is about.

This Is Us is a collection of trendy, club music of excellent quality. You want your music hot and hip and sexy then listen to This Is Us. You do not want to think of the BSB that way? They should have stayed wholesome. Sorry, these boys are now many years older. Besides, I really like the idea that they have dusted up their music and brought it up to current trends.

Helpless featuring Pitbull, which totally departs from the BSB sound is the star of the CD. Straight To My Heart and Bigger come next and are the most radio friendly. If you want a hint of the old sound there is She’s A Dream, which the Boys co-wrote with Daen Simmons and T-Pain. The other cuts are Bye Bye Love, All Of Your Life (You Need Love), If I Knew Then, This Is Us, PDA, Masquerade, Shattered and Undone.

 It would be fun to find out how they will do these songs in the show. Those who do not think so have no cause for worry though, as they do in every concert, the Backstreet Boys promise to perform many of their early hits in the Araneta show.