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Main >> Previous Updates >> August 2003 >> Article ID 1050
 Timberlake edges Aguilera as a pop makeover | Type: Internet Article |
| | Timberlake edges Aguilera as a pop makeover | Aug 23, 2003 | by LISA ROSE
Both Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera have undergone teen-angel-no-more makeovers in the past year. The 'N Sync singer has recast himself as an R&B playa, while Aguilera's been hardening her image and adding a measure of metallic thunder to her sound.
Yet for all the hype about their stylistic upgrades, their co-headlining "Justified and Stripped" road show wasn't a radical departure from the pubescent spectacles of yore. The concert at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford on Wednesday had all the requisite heat, flash, choreography and hydraulics.
The most newsmaking aspect of the event was the fact that it had been rescheduled from Aug. 13, due to the collapse of a ceiling grid at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Aug. 9. The accident left an estimated $1 million in damage, and caused them to delay several tour dates. A make-up Boardwalk Hall concert has yet to be announced.
Timberlake assured the mostly-female Continental masses, "There's nothing that would stop me from being here. All I need is a mike and all of you."
If the concert was a shriek-level showdown between the two headliners, Timberlake would be the victor. It was the rare case in which the reigning crowd-pleaser also happens to be the bolder musician.
With its urban edge and cubist beats, Timberlake's solo album, "Justified," is a giant step away from the pasteurized pop of 'N Sync. Aguilera, meanwhile, should have spent more time in the studio than the piercing parlor. Her sophomore "Stripped" record pumps up the volume but shows scant traces of originality or musical growth, the stellar single "Beautiful" notwithstanding.
Performing first, Aguilera opened her set with a video that depicted her slashing garments with a knife and announcing defiantly, "Just me, stripped." Sporting a severe black ponytail and a peekaboo pant-suit, she emerged with a throng of dancers, all writhing on a post-apocalyptic jungle gym.
The singer kicked things off with the not-so-huge hit, "Dirrty," which was performed like an S&M showtune, with spanking gestures and swift kicks. She was strapped to an X-shaped rack for "Genie in a Bottle," and dancers licked at her while she moaned lyrics.
Rival teen diva Britney Spears has done this shtick before, and better. Because Spears relies heavily on pre-recorded vocals in concert, she is able to fully devote herself to the visual element. Aguilera actually sings, limiting her ability to create elaborate tableaus.
There's no arguing Aguilera's vocal talent, but her material is so rife with mediocrity that one longs for the distraction of a Spears-esque bungee jump or FX downpour.
Aguilera's stage persona could use some improvement. She giggled, cried "Woo!" and shared inside jokes with her dancers, leaving the audience scratching their heads. There were a couple of soapbox speeches. She spoke of individualism and self-esteem while clad in fishnets and tassels.
The brightest spots were the songs that showcased her octave-climbing pipes: a cover of Etta James' "At Last" and a stirring take on "Beautiful," which she sang in jeans and a tee-shirt. She must know that fashion pomp isn't necessary when you have all the right hooks.
Timberlake may fall short of his ambition to be the second coming of Michael Jackson, but he had groove to spare and many limber moves during his one hour-plus set. Although he didn't appear to sing a single note of the show-opening "Rock Your Body," his 13-piece backing band cooked and he hoofed intricately.
His performance was full of reference points geared towards the parents in attendance. There was an instrumental variation on Kool & the Gang's 1977 "Open Sesame." Timberlake displayed adequate beatbox skills, covering Afrika Bambaataa's landmark 1982 hit, "Planet Rock" while perched on a platform that swiveled above the arena.
The line, "I'll bet you think this song is about you," from the Carly Simon tune, "You're So Vain" was tacked to the end of "Cry Me a River." ("Cry" is a thinly-veiled kiss-off to Timberlake's ex, Britney Spears.)
The younger generation was served 'N Sync tunes, "Gone," and "Girlfriend," with four backing singers subbing for Timberlake's bandmates. The jazz-funk solo single "Senorita" was embellished with a ground-rumbling beat and horn section solos.
While Aguilera all but ignored the gathered thousands, Timberlake acted as if he were scoping the audience for a sexual conquest. He sauntered stage right and eyed the upper reaches, "I gotta check you out." Later, he spoke to the rear of the room, "I see you up there. I see you shakin' that a--."
After the libidinal "Nothin' Else," Timberlake delivered a soft shoe routine that was equal parts agility and ire, with a scowl on his face to match the flurry of footwork. The evening ended with a fierce rendition of the single, "Like I Love You."
Even if he was overpowered by his band at times, Timberlake is an engaging performer with a handful of killer tunes. He proved that he's got the chops to outlive teen pop. The jury is still out on Aguilera.
The melodic hip-hop of support act Black Eyed Peas was warmly received by early birds. Perhaps they were relieved that they didn't have to endure the sound-alike groups that opened past teen pop extravaganzas.
Justin Timberlake performs on Thursday at 1 a.m. at the Roseland Ballroom, 239 W. 52nd St. in New York. Tickets, priced $50, go on sale today at noon through Ticketmaster (212-307-7171). |
 Source: The Star-Ledger | |
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