Backstreet Boys Honored - 20 Years & the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
20 Years.
As of the 20th of this month, the Backstreet Boys have been around for 20 years. Today (April 22), they received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Man, 20 years of success. Although I definitely don't follow them like I did during the "mega stardom" period (and didn't check in on them for a few years, thank you Jrock for that, haha), I have always remained a fan. It was only late last year that, for whatever reason - ah, actually I think it was because of the announcement that Kevin was rejoining the group, now that I think about it - or maybe it was the Old Navy commercial - that I started to go over all that I had missed, musically. Which, really amounts to the two albums that they did after Kevin left the group. I suppose I'm more of a casual fan now; but I'm also an 'old school' fan, as I've been a fan since their 'up-n-coming'/debut in the US; so that's most of their 20 years (technically, most people can't say they've been fans since practically the beginning unless they are European).
I remember when the group was announcing their hiatus. I remember having a conversation with a friend, who was more of an N*Sync fan, about the hiatus (I believe N*Sync was also at the time preparing for their break/break-up.... I don't quite remember when they officially called it quits), about the two groups - I believed quite firmly that BSB would come back - and had my doubts about N*Sync; I was right, obviously.
Something about this group just rang a little more......honest? In terms of just what they were about. N*Sync, while I also liked, lacked something.... I don't want to say 'soul' but, kinda, that's what they lacked. BSB I always liked more because of the type of harmony group that they were - they were the "old school-flavored smoother crooners", like Boys II Men, while N*Sync was more of a New Edition or Dru Hill, more of the "mainstream pop/hip-hop". Even though I will say that N*Sync had more of the range - from high to low, covered (Bass: Lance vs Kevin - Lance won hands down / Highs: Chris vs Howie - Chris's highs were a little sharper than Howie, as Howie's highs were softer, but still high - they were close, though), BSB just had a flavor and harmony that really allowed them to endure well against the "modern" N*Sync, and bring a nice mix of old school and new generation together.
They were pretty much the first really big boy band after New Kids on the Block, paving way for others that came during that craze; their only real competition being N*Sync. They ended up being the only boy band still around after the craze subsided. For pop music, especially of their sort, that's pretty damn impressive. They still regularly tour, and seam to still, like in the beginning, have their biggest fan bases overseas (apparently, Japan is one of their biggest fan bases - they have actually performed with SNAP - on of Japan's biggest idol groups (I think they are Johnny's) of the same category/type of music).
Now that I think of it, VH1's "Greatest Songs of the90's" had "I Want It That Way" at #3 - I was fucking surprised at that. With all the hate that boybands got (and some of it was deserved, I can say that - there were only a very few true quality groups anyway), and here you have BSB in the top 5.....then again, who likes admitting they like a boyband song? (although, it may had been a little more acceptable if it was N*Sync vs anyone else - especially late N*Sync music). It is a testament to an honest look at the skills they do have.
I remember one instance (again, back some years ago), where someone saw me listening to a cd via ear phones; they took a listen and commented positively on what they had heard; once I said who it was they did that "nose scrunch" like "oh ew I don't like them" - when they had just commented on how it sounded really good. That was an instance that showed a lot; proved a lot, for then and now. That spot on the countdown is a bit of a confirmation of sorts.
As for the group today - as they are guys, the voices have a little alteration to them; with outside factors: the smoker that AJ is (smoking isn't so great for vocalist - it will catch up to them) and Brian's Swine Flu - however, especially with Kevin back, the harmonies are complete, solid. They don't dance much; having taken it down quite a bit - as in., when they do dance, it's simpler moves like what you'd see from do-wop groups from the 60's&70's - which I think is just awesome (as I like that type of music). Keeping that 'old school' feel; I love it.
I'm looking forward to hearing the new album - and how this year plays out (I wouldn't be opposed to going to a concert, even though i'd end up going by myself, as I don't know anyone who would want to go). I was going to go to the Walk Of Fame ceremony today but, as I had a morning work commitment and an interview today, as I don't drive, I just wouldn't have made it early enough to have seen anything. While it was streamed live, my phone wouldn't connect to the site until the very end (that made me rather mad, honestly. I was irritated). All I saw was them walking up to the star and them being yelled at (lol) as pictures were taken.
Anyway, just rambling. I'm really happy though, that they really have had such honest success; they are still around, doing their thing. They sound great, they still have that "spark" that made me really like them back then, I still love my favorites (songs), and I'm liking the newer stuff. I hope this is a truly awesome year for them.
As of the 20th of this month, the Backstreet Boys have been around for 20 years. Today (April 22), they received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Man, 20 years of success. Although I definitely don't follow them like I did during the "mega stardom" period (and didn't check in on them for a few years, thank you Jrock for that, haha), I have always remained a fan. It was only late last year that, for whatever reason - ah, actually I think it was because of the announcement that Kevin was rejoining the group, now that I think about it - or maybe it was the Old Navy commercial - that I started to go over all that I had missed, musically. Which, really amounts to the two albums that they did after Kevin left the group. I suppose I'm more of a casual fan now; but I'm also an 'old school' fan, as I've been a fan since their 'up-n-coming'/debut in the US; so that's most of their 20 years (technically, most people can't say they've been fans since practically the beginning unless they are European).
I remember when the group was announcing their hiatus. I remember having a conversation with a friend, who was more of an N*Sync fan, about the hiatus (I believe N*Sync was also at the time preparing for their break/break-up.... I don't quite remember when they officially called it quits), about the two groups - I believed quite firmly that BSB would come back - and had my doubts about N*Sync; I was right, obviously.
Something about this group just rang a little more......honest? In terms of just what they were about. N*Sync, while I also liked, lacked something.... I don't want to say 'soul' but, kinda, that's what they lacked. BSB I always liked more because of the type of harmony group that they were - they were the "old school-flavored smoother crooners", like Boys II Men, while N*Sync was more of a New Edition or Dru Hill, more of the "mainstream pop/hip-hop". Even though I will say that N*Sync had more of the range - from high to low, covered (Bass: Lance vs Kevin - Lance won hands down / Highs: Chris vs Howie - Chris's highs were a little sharper than Howie, as Howie's highs were softer, but still high - they were close, though), BSB just had a flavor and harmony that really allowed them to endure well against the "modern" N*Sync, and bring a nice mix of old school and new generation together.
They were pretty much the first really big boy band after New Kids on the Block, paving way for others that came during that craze; their only real competition being N*Sync. They ended up being the only boy band still around after the craze subsided. For pop music, especially of their sort, that's pretty damn impressive. They still regularly tour, and seam to still, like in the beginning, have their biggest fan bases overseas (apparently, Japan is one of their biggest fan bases - they have actually performed with SNAP - on of Japan's biggest idol groups (I think they are Johnny's) of the same category/type of music).
Now that I think of it, VH1's "Greatest Songs of the90's" had "I Want It That Way" at #3 - I was fucking surprised at that. With all the hate that boybands got (and some of it was deserved, I can say that - there were only a very few true quality groups anyway), and here you have BSB in the top 5.....then again, who likes admitting they like a boyband song? (although, it may had been a little more acceptable if it was N*Sync vs anyone else - especially late N*Sync music). It is a testament to an honest look at the skills they do have.
I remember one instance (again, back some years ago), where someone saw me listening to a cd via ear phones; they took a listen and commented positively on what they had heard; once I said who it was they did that "nose scrunch" like "oh ew I don't like them" - when they had just commented on how it sounded really good. That was an instance that showed a lot; proved a lot, for then and now. That spot on the countdown is a bit of a confirmation of sorts.
As for the group today - as they are guys, the voices have a little alteration to them; with outside factors: the smoker that AJ is (smoking isn't so great for vocalist - it will catch up to them) and Brian's Swine Flu - however, especially with Kevin back, the harmonies are complete, solid. They don't dance much; having taken it down quite a bit - as in., when they do dance, it's simpler moves like what you'd see from do-wop groups from the 60's&70's - which I think is just awesome (as I like that type of music). Keeping that 'old school' feel; I love it.
I'm looking forward to hearing the new album - and how this year plays out (I wouldn't be opposed to going to a concert, even though i'd end up going by myself, as I don't know anyone who would want to go). I was going to go to the Walk Of Fame ceremony today but, as I had a morning work commitment and an interview today, as I don't drive, I just wouldn't have made it early enough to have seen anything. While it was streamed live, my phone wouldn't connect to the site until the very end (that made me rather mad, honestly. I was irritated). All I saw was them walking up to the star and them being yelled at (lol) as pictures were taken.
Anyway, just rambling. I'm really happy though, that they really have had such honest success; they are still around, doing their thing. They sound great, they still have that "spark" that made me really like them back then, I still love my favorites (songs), and I'm liking the newer stuff. I hope this is a truly awesome year for them.