Published: Sunday, July 31, 2011, 4:05 AM Updated: Sunday, July 31, 2011, 12:51 PM
New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys (NKOTBSB) are due for a name change. After Saturday's Hersheypark Stadium concert, it became clear that they are neither kids nor boys any more.
As soon as the bands took to the stage for a mash up of the Backstreet Boys song, "The One," the New Kids on the Block number, "Single," and the instrumentals of Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" fans realized that this was no teeny bopper performance. The bands both have grown with their audience and provided a more adult show.
The Chippendales would be proud, as the bands titillated the crowd with pelvic thrusts, clothing tossing and the occasional shirtless moment (courtesy of the ripped Donnie Wahlberg).
The trajectory portion of the stage functioned more as a runway for the boys to strut up and down. Prior to every strut though, the bands had to freeze - allowing fans to marvel at their form before beginning to sing or dance.
When not singing the groups wooed in prose. Pennsylvania, fans were informed, has the most beautiful women according to Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough.
"If you close your eyes and sniff it smells of men's two favorite things," New Kid Donnie Wahlberg said. "Dark delicious chocolate and beautiful women."
New Kids on the Block set the mood with their synthetic heavy 2008 song "Summertime." Midway through the jaunty melody, Jordan Knight shot the crowd a cheeky look, slowly lifting his shirt to the delight of fans. That glimpse of his chest was as tame as NKOTB got. These boys, remember, hang tough.
Backstreet Boys Nick Carter and A.J. McLean had their share of "sexy" moments. Carter shrugged off a jacket at every opportunity to showcase a giant arm tattoo, while McLean coupled his raspy vocals with pelvic thrusts.
Later, when the band pulled members of the audience up on the stage to serenade with their "I'll Never Break Your Heart," Carter trailed a rose along the girl's back, stroked her cheek and writhed on the floor.
He then did the gentlemanly thing and dropped on one knee as the Backstreet Boys concluded their serenade with a truly beautiful a coppella version of the song's chorus. It was a reminder that the boys were more than just good looking, but talented too.
"Incomplete" further showcased the BSB vocal talents. With its sweeping harmonies and soaring melody, it was the musical highlight of their portion of the show, despite the fact it is one of the less popular Backstreet Boys songs.
New Kids on the Block also displayed their musical prowess. Knight's high notes were impeccable, most notably during the ballad, "Valentine Girl." With a hint of whine in his tone Knight's voice sent shivers down the spine.
As he concluded the song the stadium burst into cheers as grown-women screamed like pre-teens. It was like they had all been transported to the days of their youth.
"It feels just like 1989," said New Kid Joey McIntyre. "For some of us, it feels even feels like 1999."
"No matter what magical time traveling journey we are on," he said. "We see no reason to stop until we want it to stop."
The show was not a true time travel journey back to the hey-day of the bands. Backstreet Boys in particular had made an effort to modernize or change their classic hits.
"All I Have To Give," was given a regrettable makeover in the form of a more upbeat tempo, which only detracted from the song, disrupted singalongs and upset the ear.
Other changes were successful, although few improved the song. "Larger than Life" was given a rockier edge with a strong electric guitar, which played well with the flames that routinely erupted from the stage.
An guitar line similar to Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar On Me" was played during "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)," carrying through to the New Kids' performance of "Hangin' Tough." In both cases, the change gave the song a more masculine and dangerous edge.
As McLean said, "Sometimes its good to be bad."
It was a philosophy the New Kids' employed. When the music of "The Right Stuff," began the band strutted up the stage in a manner which would have made the Jets of "West Side Story" proud. They continued to channel musical bad boys with several dance moves straight from "Grease".
The same parents who were horrified by Elvis Presley's gyrations in the 1950s would have dropped dead at the end of the song, in which the band delivered not just one, two or three pelvic thrusts - but ten. They even counted along, in case someone was confused.
And the stunts continued, complete with Wahlberg ripping his shirt off of his body during "Cover Girl." The gasp of the audience was almost as loud as the massive speakers blasting the music. The screams that followed the initial shock were definitely louder.
The concert also functioned as a sing-a-long. With the crowd split roughly even between Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block fans, there was always someone singing. If one person did not know the song, the person next to them did.
Nowhere was this more obvious than the New Kids on the Block song "Please, Don't Go Girl." After the first four words (the same as the title) the mic was turned on the crowd who gleefully supplied the next few lines. While half remained silent, by the end of the song those who had been mum were joining in.
The song is a showcase piece for Joey McIntyre, who took over the stage with a dynamic and athletic performance. Running down the trajectory he slid onto his knees, fiercely delivering the song's plea. As the music died, McIntyre stood, his face confused - as if he had just woken from a trance.
Then, with tears almost in his eye he sang one final time: "Please, don't go girl."
From the fan reaction, it's safe to say the response was "Don't worry, we aren't going anywhere."
Source: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/07/concert_review_nkotbsb_arent_k.html
The Chippendales would be proud, as the bands titillated the crowd with pelvic thrusts, clothing tossing and the occasional shirtless moment (courtesy of the ripped Donnie Wahlberg).
The trajectory portion of the stage functioned more as a runway for the boys to strut up and down. Prior to every strut though, the bands had to freeze - allowing fans to marvel at their form before beginning to sing or dance.
When not singing the groups wooed in prose. Pennsylvania, fans were informed, has the most beautiful women according to Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough.
"If you close your eyes and sniff it smells of men's two favorite things," New Kid Donnie Wahlberg said. "Dark delicious chocolate and beautiful women."
New Kids on the Block set the mood with their synthetic heavy 2008 song "Summertime." Midway through the jaunty melody, Jordan Knight shot the crowd a cheeky look, slowly lifting his shirt to the delight of fans. That glimpse of his chest was as tame as NKOTB got. These boys, remember, hang tough.
Backstreet Boys Nick Carter and A.J. McLean had their share of "sexy" moments. Carter shrugged off a jacket at every opportunity to showcase a giant arm tattoo, while McLean coupled his raspy vocals with pelvic thrusts.
Later, when the band pulled members of the audience up on the stage to serenade with their "I'll Never Break Your Heart," Carter trailed a rose along the girl's back, stroked her cheek and writhed on the floor.
He then did the gentlemanly thing and dropped on one knee as the Backstreet Boys concluded their serenade with a truly beautiful a coppella version of the song's chorus. It was a reminder that the boys were more than just good looking, but talented too.
"Incomplete" further showcased the BSB vocal talents. With its sweeping harmonies and soaring melody, it was the musical highlight of their portion of the show, despite the fact it is one of the less popular Backstreet Boys songs.
New Kids on the Block also displayed their musical prowess. Knight's high notes were impeccable, most notably during the ballad, "Valentine Girl." With a hint of whine in his tone Knight's voice sent shivers down the spine.
As he concluded the song the stadium burst into cheers as grown-women screamed like pre-teens. It was like they had all been transported to the days of their youth.
"It feels just like 1989," said New Kid Joey McIntyre. "For some of us, it feels even feels like 1999."
"No matter what magical time traveling journey we are on," he said. "We see no reason to stop until we want it to stop."
The show was not a true time travel journey back to the hey-day of the bands. Backstreet Boys in particular had made an effort to modernize or change their classic hits.
"All I Have To Give," was given a regrettable makeover in the form of a more upbeat tempo, which only detracted from the song, disrupted singalongs and upset the ear.
Other changes were successful, although few improved the song. "Larger than Life" was given a rockier edge with a strong electric guitar, which played well with the flames that routinely erupted from the stage.
An guitar line similar to Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar On Me" was played during "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)," carrying through to the New Kids' performance of "Hangin' Tough." In both cases, the change gave the song a more masculine and dangerous edge.
As McLean said, "Sometimes its good to be bad."
It was a philosophy the New Kids' employed. When the music of "The Right Stuff," began the band strutted up the stage in a manner which would have made the Jets of "West Side Story" proud. They continued to channel musical bad boys with several dance moves straight from "Grease".
The same parents who were horrified by Elvis Presley's gyrations in the 1950s would have dropped dead at the end of the song, in which the band delivered not just one, two or three pelvic thrusts - but ten. They even counted along, in case someone was confused.
And the stunts continued, complete with Wahlberg ripping his shirt off of his body during "Cover Girl." The gasp of the audience was almost as loud as the massive speakers blasting the music. The screams that followed the initial shock were definitely louder.
The concert also functioned as a sing-a-long. With the crowd split roughly even between Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block fans, there was always someone singing. If one person did not know the song, the person next to them did.
Nowhere was this more obvious than the New Kids on the Block song "Please, Don't Go Girl." After the first four words (the same as the title) the mic was turned on the crowd who gleefully supplied the next few lines. While half remained silent, by the end of the song those who had been mum were joining in.
The song is a showcase piece for Joey McIntyre, who took over the stage with a dynamic and athletic performance. Running down the trajectory he slid onto his knees, fiercely delivering the song's plea. As the music died, McIntyre stood, his face confused - as if he had just woken from a trance.
Then, with tears almost in his eye he sang one final time: "Please, don't go girl."
From the fan reaction, it's safe to say the response was "Don't worry, we aren't going anywhere."
Source: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/07/concert_review_nkotbsb_arent_k.html
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