Don't tell Nick Carter that the Backstreet Boys are back. The lean, lanky pop singer will inform you that the group never went away.
When Carter released his solo album "Now Or Never" in 2002 and his boy-bandmates tried their hand at other projects, ranging from Broadway to parenthood, the Backstreet Boys were never far off the periphery. It was only a matter of time until Backstreet reconnected.
"We never drifted far from each other," Carter says. "We always had [the Backstreet Boys] in our heads. We took a little break, and we're loving every minute of it now that we're doing our thing."
Some boy bands pick it up again (New Kids on the Block) and others move on ('N SYNC). Carter is thrilled to be in the former camp.
"It's so great to do what we do together," he says. "I'm sure there are a lot of people who were part of [boy bands] and gave it up and they wish they were still doing it.
"They moved on in life. Maybe they're happy, but they probably look back and miss it. We don't miss it because we're still doing it. We're doing it like we once did it."
That's not an exaggeration. The Backstreet Boys' latest album, the aptly titled, "This Is Us," works well because the group was wise enough to re-embrace the sound that established the act and led to a staggering 100 million in album sales. The CD is heavy on the rhythm and features the familiar harmonies that smack of the Backstreet Boys' mid-'90s heyday.
The group, which also includes vocalist Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough and A.J. McLean, co-write some songs, but the act primarily focuses on performance. Not a bad idea when you have hit-making writer-producer Max Martin back in your camp.
"Max is tremendous," Carter says. "We've known him for so many years. The guy is sharp as it gets. Look at who he as worked with (Pink, Britney Spears). He's amazing."
It's not easy for the former teen idols to go from boys to men.
Yet the Backstreet Boys have done a laudable job. Their last album, 2007's "Unbreakable" was unmemorable. "This Is Us" is filled with songs that are well-produced and catchy.
"We're just doing all that we can," Carter says. "I know the path to radio is a lot narrower these days, but that's all right. We're still together and we're making music and playing shows. It's all good."
The Backstreet Boys, who will perform Sunday at the new downtown Raleigh Amphitheatre and Festival Site, are playing more intimate venues now than during the group's halcyon days. That's fine with them, Carter says.
"We're taking what they're giving us," he says. "We just want to perform. The show is designed for bigger venues.
"We played to over 20,000 a night in Europe and Asia. They love their pop there, but we're all right with our situation here. Just give us a chance to play, whether it's in front of 20 or 20,000 people."
