DETROIT--If 'NSync's new single "Pop" takes to task those critical of the genre, then the quintet is declaring war with its Pop Odyssey tour.

Throughout 'NSync's show on Friday (6/29) at Detroit's Comerica Park, songs from the forthcoming album "Celebrity," as well as some videotaped sketches, subtly made fun of detractors' opinions that pop music is fluff. 'NSync's message came across loud and clear: the group has a firm hold not only on pop music’s audience, but on the record-buying public in general.

On two stages--the main stage and a satellite stage in the middle of the main floor--Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick and Lance Bass used a dizzying array of pyrotechnics, overstuffed toys and space-age mechanical bulls during its nearly two-hour performance. It was sensory overload for many pre-teens on the main floor who were crying or complaining because of the loud music and explosions.

Following a videotaped countdown, the five members popped out of a stained glass pyramid on the satellite stage to perform "Pop." From there, it rolled into a string of hits--"Tearin' Up My Heart," "I Want U Back" and "God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You."

Midway through the set, Fatone told the crowd, "Tonight we're going to play a whole collection of songs from the new album 'Celebrity.' Make sure you check that out July 24." (As if they wouldn't.)

Nine new songs in a 19-track set is a lot to digest for fans of a band with two albums (not counting the Christmas collection). But the crowd, which was primarily made up of thirtysomething parents with their pre-teen children, jumped up and down, screamed and tried desperately to learn the words to the tunes.

Judging from Friday's performance, "Celebrity" is a logical, more mature offering from 'NSync. The off-time-signature hip-hop and R&B beats, such as those found in Sisqo or Jay-Z's music, play a big part in songs like the ballad "Gone" and the upbeat title track.

The spectacle of the evening was "It's Gonna Be Me," a hit off 2000’s "No Strings Attached" (Jive). Prior to the song, Bass and Kirkpatrick appeared on screen as naive cowboys awestruck by modern civilization--specifically, by a group called 'NSync.

"Boy, that McDonald's guy's a good cook," Bass said enhancing his southern accent to stereotypical levels.

As the screen faded, 'NSync turned the main stage and protruding walkways into a giant toy store filled with inflatables, water guns, stuffed animals, girl "dolls" (dancers) and a scooter manned by Bass.

On an already humid evening, the vast crowds in Comerica Park turned the building into a sauna.

"I thought it was gonna be cold up here in Detroit. You're making it hot," said Kirkpatrick, who then began an ill-fated, mock strip tease--he fell down trying to remove his costume chaps over his jeans. "Settle down, settle down," he said.

The show closed with the song "Bye Bye Bye." To paraphrase the song "Pop," the music--and the spectacle--definitely got the 30,000 fans high.