toothpick unappreciative: Big Time Rush Declare Themselves 'Best Boy Band Of All Time'

Friday, April 27, 2012

Big Time Rush Declare Themselves 'Best Boy Band Of All Time'

But, Battle of the Boy Bands competitors also show love for 'NSYNC.
By John Mitchell

Big Time Rush
Photo: MTV News

The competition continues to heat up in MTV News' Battle of the Boy Bands. Some huge favorites are falling behind as some unexpected fans come out of the woodwork to vote for their favorite groups.

At this point in the competition, Big Time Rush are well ahead of '90s R&B hitmakers All For One in their showdown, but anything can happen right up until voting closes today (April 26) at noon. So, the boys are here to tell you why you should vote for them and keep them in the race for the boy-band crown.

Highest Chart Achievement
The band, which was created for its namesake Nickelodeon show, enjoyed its strongest sales week ever when its November 2011 album, Elevate, debuted with over 70,000 in sales. However, their debut, 2010's BTR, while selling fewer copies (67,000) in its opening frame, actually enjoyed a higher chart position, debuting at an astounding #3 to Elevate's #12.

Standout Video
For sheer Backstreet nostalgia alone, it's got to be "Worldwide." The clip features the guys — Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow, Carlos Pena Jr. and Logan Henderson — in all-white outfits, crooning their hearts out ballad-style, while hanging out in an airline terminal. The homage to the Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way" is undeniable — and we mean that as the highest of compliments.

Defining Tune
Well, that depends who you ask. "Boyfriend," the band's first official single sent to U.S. radio, remains their strongest-performing track on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #72. However, the band and its fans certainly have a connection with "Music Sounds Better With U," which was co-written by the band and Ryan Tedder — yes, that Ryan Tedder, a hitmaker in his own right with OneRepublic, who is currently one of the hottest songwriters in the world after his work with Beyoncé and Adele, among many others, earned much acclaim and major sales. The song inspired the name of their 2012 "Better With U" tour.

Debut Album
The aforementioned BTR, which went gold here in the U.S.

Biggest Competition
While they are up against All 4 One in round one of the competition, they aren't really the band's biggest threat in the overall competition. Interestingly, that position is held by some close friends of the band — fellow teen dreams One Direction. Big Time Rush and One Direction toured together earlier this year, right before 1D broke out big time.

So, why should you vote for Big Time Rush? Well, the boys themselves came up with a pretty good reason: "I know the other boy bands are really awesome, but seriously, Big Time Rush is the best boy band of all time," Henderson declared.

Pena added, "Not to mention that we have the best fans. So, all you Rushers out there, we love you."

The boys themselves had little trouble zeroing in on their own personal favorite boy band. After name-checking their fandom of several boy bands, from 98 Degrees and the Backstreet Boys to Hanson, the guys went with their gut and said the answer was easy: 'NSYNC.

Voting in round one of MTV's Battle of the Boy Bands is now open and runs until noon ET today (April 26). Winners are determined by fan votes, so if your favorite band made the cut, make sure you keep voting. Spread the word on Twitter using the hashtag #BBB and like us on Facebook for updates!