Published on Jul 23, 2000
With this album, I complete the 90s teen music trifecta. I have
previously reviewed Britney Spears and ‘N Sync. And I know that
there’s more of them around — Christina Aguilera, Mandy Moore, 98
Degrees, Jessica Simpson, LFO, et al. — but, the truth is that the
big three remain Spears, ‘N Sync and these Orlando, Florida guys. I
also know that I threading dangerous waters as my cousin loves
these guys. So, she may want to avert her eyes right now. This
ain’t gonna be pretty.
When I spoke of
No Strings Attached by ‘N Sync, I mentioned that they had
wanted to show some originality and separate themselves from the
pop sounds of all the other boy bands. So, ‘N Sync went out and
mixed in some hip-hop and rap beats to toughen their sound. Why do
I mention this? Because, unlike that boy band, these guys go the
direct pop route. They embrace their teenybopiness, completely and
wholeheartedly. There are no surprises here; no attempted stab at
musical growth. This is almost make-music-by-the-numbers. Don’t
believe me, check it out.
Step One: Need easy to understand lyrics.
For this, check out their smash, “I Want It That Way,” “I Need
You Tonight” and “No One Else Comes Close.” Deep meaning? They
don’t want no stinkin’ deep meanings. I mean, just read these
lyrics. “You are my fire/The one desire” or “Girl, with a touch/You
can do so much.” Message loud and clear. There are no
double-entendres or stabs at a moral. They’re not needed here.
(Heck. It’s why my brother refers to “I Want It That Way” as the
monkey song. Why? Because monkeys could write better lyrics!)
Step Two: Need major dance beats and numbers.
This is filled in by their hit “Larger Than Life,” “The One” and
“It’s Gotta Be You.” Standard, big and boisterous. These are
designed to be sung by the entire group and danced to by a troupe
of dancers around a stage. No bigger message than let’s love one
another. (For the record: the people onstage can dance. But the
people in the audience – especially the larger and older chaperones
– have no reason for getting up to get down. Stop scaring the
children!!)
Step Three: Bring in the ballads!!
From the slow “Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely” to “Don’t
Wanna Lose You Now,” “Spanish Eyes” and “Back To Your Heart,” it
often seems as if a whole chunk of this album is nothing more than
one big ballad that sings about losing/trying to get back/loving
the girl. They even sing a song to their moms as “The Perfect Fan”
closes the album. Syrupy sweet and meant so that every girl can
remember the lyrics, they are somewhat forgettable and can often
seem to blend into one another.
Now, let me step back and try to calm down the masses. Unlike
No Strings Attached,
Millennium is a group effort. Over there, the vocal talents
often feel on either Justin Timberlake or JC Chavez, with the other
three acting as the big guy from Boyz II Men – quiet, except during
the chorus. Here, all five members (Nick, Bryan, Howie, Kevin and
A.J.) share equal time and do the same duties. Whether it’s
something that is prearranged and planned or was the decision of
one of the plethora of producers, I do not know. But at least this
album sounds more like a group effort.
Nevertheless,
Millennium never attempts to be more than it is. No chances
are taken, no risks embraced. It starts and it ends and is
ultimately disposable because it lacks originality. There’s nothing
here that we haven’t heard before or heard it better. Though it
sounds like cohesive, it is, at the end, flat.
Of all of these boy bands, the Backstreet Boys are often seen as
the leaders — because they broke through first. Yes,
Millennium has been certified platinum worldwide and has
received Billboard’s Diamond Award. Millions have been sold and
contine to sell. But coasters are also sold by the millions and no
one cares about them. If the Boys actually want to live beyond the
shelf-life everyone’s tagged them with, they would do well to try
to mature their sound and their music. “You are my fire/The one
desire.” I can come up with better lyrics than that.