The Shape Of The Future
Source: thez.com
They were the first modern-era pop quintet from the Orlando, Fla., area to shatter sales records. Now, more than a year has passed since the Backstreet Boys released Millennium, and they are ready once again to rule the charts with Black & Blue. But there's one special prize the guys have their eyes on: 'N Sync's sales record of 2.4 million albums in March. Backstreet are well on their way to breaking it, however, as pre-orders for their new disc have already reached 5 million units. Nov. 21 definitely starts a new chapter in the BSB saga. On their latest album, seven of the 15 songs were written or co-written by the guys, and they are adaptin! g ! their sound to other styles of music, including rock, R&B, hip-hop and even some country. "[Black & Blue is] a lot more diverse, I think, than the Millennium album," says Brian Littrell. "When Millennium came out, it was kind of the songs for the time. Going into the millennium, it was kind of monumental for every human being on this earth. With Black & Blue, I think it's a little more diverse song to song."
Indeed, events in the last year have helped to shape the new disc, which the boys hope will return them to the status of "world's-most respected boy band ." Not only did eldest member Kevin Richardson, 28, marry his girlfriend, Kristin Willits, in June, but then his cousin Brian, 25, married his longtime girlfriend, Leighanne Wallace, in September. Then, there are 22-year-old A.J. McLean's solo ventures as Johnny No Name and 27-year-old Howie Dorough's solo benefit shows to benefit the Caroline Dorough-Cochran Lupus Foundation. In addition, Nick Carter, 20, has been managing some new music groups. The guys truly are everywhere, so it's clear that no matter the record sales, Backstreet's back! (Heather Johnson)
A.J. on fans: "Sometimes you meet girls and they recognize you, but they won't say anything. They'll just giggle and scream and laugh and then just run away. I pray to God I get inside a girl's head one day and see, What in the world are they thinking?"
Nick on BSB's reaction to 'N Sync: "We try to have a straight path. Then we see something happening, then we try to go the other way, then all of a sudden somebody starts following us, you know what I'm saying?"
Brian on his future: "One day I hope to have a pop-gospel hour. Maybe I don't want to have a solo career one day, maybe I do. I've had a lot of people say they want to work with me when I'm finished with the group. And I look them in the face and say, 'I can't tell you if I'll ever be ready. But if I am, I'll call you.'"