Before heading out to Radio City, I figured that I would be seeing the 2000 version of that wimpy Australian duo, Air Supply. After sitting through Savage Garden’s concert, however, I have a newfound respect for Air Supply.

At least Air Supply had the ability to appeal to both preteens and adults, which was certainly was not the case with Savage Garden. The vast majority of those in attendence were screaming junior high school students standing on top of their chairs, who I guess were shut out of tickets for Britney Spears or ‘N Sync.

Guitarist Daniel Jones and vocalist Darren Hayes pandered to the crowd by suggestively posturing on stage in their skintight leather outfits. Hayes, plaing the role of the sensitive singer-songwriter, picked out a girl on stage and got down on his knees and sang to her. Barry Manilow, who originated this bit, at least did it with a sense of humor.

Musically, there was little memorable about these guys. “Don’t Know You Anymore” was a turgid piano ballad, while another slow mover, “Santa Monica,” was a blatant ripoff of Dan Fogelberg’s “Auld Lang Syne.” Their cover of the John Lennon brotherhood anthem was also less than inspiring.

The worst sin committed by Jones and Hayes was that they showed absolutely no sense of humor. They didn’t even refer to Rick and Darva when they broke into their finale of “I Knew I Loved You (Before I Met You).” The music made the night long; the musicians made it painful.