SEX with a side of Black Eyed Peas was on the menu at Madison Square Garden’s Theater Friday when the Pussycat Dolls joined forces with the Grammy-winning hip-pop band for a one-night stand.
While both acts vigorously shook their butts, neither shook the music world. Still, in combination, the razzle-dazzle flash dancing of the Pussycats and the interplay of the BEP’s four-MC vocal attack was entertaining enough.
During their opening set, the sextet of Pussycats prowled the stage plying slinky dance moves designed to titillate as they worked their girl-group retro pop.
Can they sing? Maybe – it’s hard to remember. After a couple of songs, the six chicks became a blur of cleavage, miniskirt twirls that flashed panties and skimpy tops.
Much more wholesome and musically accomplished were the Black Eyed Peas, featuring Fergie and her guys – Taboo, Will.I.Am and Apl.De.Ap. As you’d expect, their set relied on a handful of radio hits such as “Don’t Phunk With My Love,” the Fergie vehicle “My Humps” and the finale “Let’s Get It Started.”
Those songs are the reason the band is enjoying the kind of success it is; unfortunately, the Peas just don’t have enough of them in their songbook to play a full-length headlining concert.
The Peas came on strong and finished strong, leaving the entire center of the concert a soft-boiled snooze where the MCs, as well as their backing band, took lengthy solos. The strength of the Peas lies in their vocal unity.
Fergie was a highlight. She held her water and dished up some great fly-girl dance moves as she alternated between raps and songs.
The Black Eyed Peas operate on pure energy and constant motion – physically and musically. That’s why when they attempted solo numbers, the concert lost its momentum. When they return to the city later this year, don’t be afraid to give Peas a chance, but only if they’re in pod formation.