Trendy or Trashy

Are the Backstreet Boys Cool?-Maybe One or Two of Them.

by: AJ Sales

Hmm, lemme seeÉ I'm holding the Backstreet Boys "Millenium" CD, and I am really having trouble figuring out why they are SOOO awesome. By the way-it's NOT my CD.

Awesome songs? Yeah a few.

Good looking guys? Maybe one in the whole bunch-I can tell you who's NOT good looking (sorry Howie).

Cool Clothes? Yeah, if you're into white suits.

So, what's the deal with the Backstreet Boys? Why are they so popular? I just can't figure it out.

First, "Larger than Life" is one of the most irritating songs I have ever let my poor ears listen to. Guys, "Can't you see, can't you see," you are really starting to irritate me?

Second, what's up with AJ (cool name, I'll give him that). He's got a forehead like a drive-in movie. He's pierced from head toÉ toe. He's got some awful tattoos on his body, and his head is shaped like a tap light (you've seen those things on TV).

Second, Nick. Dude, get a new hairdo, and please lose the occasional braids! That was cool in junior high...

Next, Howie. Poor, poor Howie. Can this guy even sing? Please tell me what lines he sings in "I Want it That way." I have to admit, that song is pretty good, but WHERE is he the whole time?? Is this guy foreign or what? PLEASE, PLEASE girls, Don't tell me you actually like this guy. If you ever see a "WE LOVE YOU HOWIE" sign in the stands at a concert, rest assured that Howie's mom is holding it.

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Then, there's Brian, who I personally can't say anything bad about. Wait, just one thing, have you seen his girlfriend? Brian is a good guy who sticks to his beliefs. I respect that.

Finally, Kevin. Shoot me or something, but I actually like this guy! He sings really good, he's shy (so he doesn't prance around like a freakin' deer), and he's probably the best looking one of the five. Girls, I'd concentrate on this one. Kevin is probably dying for one of you girls to shout HIS name at a concert.

I have a confession. I have liked a few of their songs. But, they all start to sound the same to me. With 5 man (er, boy) singing groups popping up like weeds, it is hard to keep track of who sings what.

I think everyone has had this experience:

Who sings this song? Backstreet Boys?"

NOPE.

"N Sync?"

NOPE.

"98 Degrees?"

NOPE.

"Well, who the heck sings this song? Must be Ricky Martin or something."

NOPE.

I just wish, for one brief moment, one of these groups would make an off the wall song, just to stand apart for a minute.

When you have songs like:

"Invisible Man,"

"The Hardest Thing,"

"I Want you Back,"

"I Want it That Way,"

"As Long As You Love Me,"

"Tearin' Up My Heart,"

"God Must Have Spent a Little More Time On You,"

It's hard to remember who sings what!

Then you have questions like: "Who sings that song with Celine Dion?" and "Who has that good Christmas CD?" and "Doesn't one of these groups have four guys?"

After a while, your head starts to spin. I just wish these groups would make some

original music and quit copying off of each other.

Finally, I have ONE MORE confession! This is the kicker! I have 2 FRONT ROW (yeah baby, you heard me-FRONT ROW) tickets to see the Backstreet Boys at the TWA dome this spring!

I'll be the first to tell you, my girlfriend begged me to go, and I gave in. I also have 4 seats on the floor, and 14 more (yes, FOURTEEN) in the first level (just in case anyone needs a few tickets). It's not like I WANT to go or anything, but I wouldn't miss it for the world!

Brian, Kevin, Nick, AJ, and, um... oh yeah, Howie-here I come!