O-Town
It's a teenage fantasy: after enduring countless auditions, five young guys from across the U.S. are chosen to be members of a boy group. They will call Orlando home. They will live together in a house while they prepare their debut album. They will work with legendary record executiveClive Davis. They will be the first to be signed to his new label. They will be filmed every step of the way. If all goes according to formula, they will also be teen heartthrobs with a few hit songs on the radio. So goes the story of O-Town, the group created for and by the ABC television showMaking the Band. Taking a step past saccharine pop, O-Town venture intoMichael Jackson-inspired R&B; ("Girl"), piano-driven balladry ("All or Nothing," which sounds a bit likeBryan Adams), and even straight-up rock ("Love Should Be a Crime" could be sung just as easily by JonBon Jovi, but wouldn't sound as good). They also make endless pop culture references, especially in their single, "Liquid Dreams": "I dream about a girl who's a mix ofDestiny's Child, just a little touch ofMadonna's wild style, withJanet Jackson's smile / Throw in a body like aJennifer, you've got the star of my liquid dreams." The words aren't the only playful elements here--watching them compete against boy band stalwarts theBackstreet Boysand'N Syncshould be just as fun. Even with such tough competition, though, O-Town deserve a chance. With their hit show in its second season and with songs as good as "Liquid Dreams" and "The Painter," they'll get one.--Heidi Sherman