TLC’s Style Offsets Its Usual Substance

They may be feuding in private, but the members of TLC displayed no obvious hostility toward one another on Friday, as their first-ever headlining tour arrived at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim.

Then again, the 90-minute set was so fast-paced and so elaborately staged that Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Rozanda “Chilli” Thomas and Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes had scarcely a moment to show any spontaneous emotion.

Each member clearly was a crucial component of the whole, with T-Boz handling the tough-stuff songs, Chilli voicing the no-nonsense romantics and Left Eye cutting loose with the rapping. Yet the production’s spectacle threw off TLC’s usually adept balance of high-tech fancy and human frailty, ultimately keeping the singers from getting too close to one another or their fans.

Which is not to say it wasn’t a thoroughly 21st century pop concert, with all the razzle-dazzle and sense of fun you’d expect from a group whose kinetic videos are as memorable as its records. Also, by showcasing its eight-year spectrum of hits, TLC delighted fans while underscoring the staying power that has made it the best-selling female trio in history, with another round of Grammy nominations for 1999’s 4-million-selling album, “FanMail.”

Such hits as “Waterfalls” and “No Scrubs,” along with the grandiose staging, dwarfed second-billed Christina Aguilera. Yet the teen pop star (and fellow Grammy nominee) seemed more down-to-earth during her brief set of candied R&B;, which was itself high-energy and extravagant.

Sure, Aguilera had a live band and dancers, but TLC sported a flashy light show and a giant oval screen broadcasting video clips, shots of the stage action and other assorted eye candy, along with the image of a female robot repeating some spoken bits from “FanMail.”

Seven dancers cavorted, sometimes acting out vignettes from TLC’s more dramatic videos. There was even a silly bit straight outta the WWF, complete with pretentious voice-over, involving a cape-wearing masked man stealing a big bag of “fan mail” from the stage.

And . . . oh yeah! Up in back, a seven-piece band managed to stay out of the way, playing TLC’s blend of soul, hip-hop, funk and pop with surprising verve and an occasional standout lick.

However, this was one modern multi-platinum act that had plenty of meat to match the sizzle. Even the earliest hits held up, and it was a kick to see TLC performing “What About Your Friends” in baggy, graffiti-decorated white jumpsuits--such a contrast with their current cyber-gladiator look. Later the trio donned silky pajamas that were perfect for “Red Light Special,” one of the seductive soul highlights, along with the new “Come On Down.”

Spotlighting Left Eye, Chilli and T-Boz in solo turns, a lengthy “CrazySexyCool” segment seemed designed to give each one her charismatic moment, but even then the focus was more on persona than personality.

Which really was too bad, because TLC’s core appeal is not special effects, but the emotional honesty that prompted T-Boz to write the poem that became their latest hit, “Unpretty.” Entertaining though it often was, the show would have been more affecting had TLC taken to heart that tune’s sentiment, which urges women to place less value on appearances and more on what’s inside.