Ingénue

Se iene

: (Warner)

a) Walking in London

* Concrete Blonde (1.R.S.)

= Break Like the Wind

~ Spinal Tap

— (MCA)

S *“Human Touch’’ Bruce Springsteen (Sony)

I have a pretty interest- ing slew of stuff this week. The pick of the crop is undoubtedly k.d. lang’s Ingénue. A melting pot of styles, Ingénue is k.d.’s most experimental work yet and furthers a unique musical vision.

k.d.’s old wacky ways ee ae have been set aside on this sombre set of ten origi- nals. Actually, country in general has been cast aside. Free of c&w’s banalities, k.d. has proven herself to be one of music’s most promising talents; she’s certainly one of popular music’s finest vocalists. Her

singing here is her most subtle yet fn es

and features previously unheard nuances. However, her unwilling- ness to let out even the odd soar- ing vocal can be somewhat tedi- ous.

Ingénue has transition piece writ- ten all over it, but it contains many luminescent moments: **Season of Hollow Soul,’’ ‘‘Out- side Myself,’’ the only number here even remotely resembling torch or twang, and the first single, | **Constant Craving’’ among them. Ingénue will probably be dis- missed as bizarre or depressing by many, but if you skip this one

you'll be missing out on the ee ee ee

UPEI X-P RESS March 26, 1992

development ofa true original. Despite it’s downbez tone, the potential Ingénue Suggestsisenoughto | brighten anyone’s day.

Speaking of great vocalists, Concrete Blonde’s big- | lunged frontlady Johnette Napolitano definitely qual fies; her husky, powerful howling assures things wil), stay above average. Single-handedly Napolitano

carries what could be pretty forgettable material in other’s hands. The band hita high point with ‘‘Joey,) a song that gave Napolitano a good tune to sink her teeth into. Though nothing on Walking in Londonis as Magnetic as that song, it rocks alright. Pop songs like ‘‘Someday’’ and ‘ *...Long Time Ago”’ add some variety to the proceedings, and the cover of James

Brown’s ‘‘It’s aMan’s World’’ is interesting. :

| But Walking in Londonis basically a roaring guitars

*n’ wailing fest. The guitars tend to be either shim- mering echoes or grungy wah-wah and never the . twains shall meet; the whole album suffers froma

monotony in sound. The album hits an all-time low with the surprisingly rank first single, ‘‘Ghostofa | Texas Ladies’ Man,’’ avery dumb joke. But through’ itall Napolitano comes on like a cross between Chrissie Hynde and Aretha Franklin and savesitall | from being totally disposable. Like far too many alternative acts, Concrete Blonde area one-trick pony, but as far as tricks go, it’s not a bad one.

Comic relief arrives with Spinal Tap’s first recorded | output since the soundtrack to their 1984 film, This is Spinal Tap. But these guys earn most of their yuks | with their poker-faced interviews, | where they get to shoot out beau- | ties like, ‘“Well, I have a grasp of | it, | just don’t understand it.”* I) admit it’s impossible notto like | Break Like the Wind, but| can't help but think it all could have been a lot funnier--and a lot . dumber. If you want laughs, pass | Wind and check This out.

As for the Boss’s brand spankin’ new single, it’s simply the work of arock ’n’ roll genius. Truly excel- lent, I love it. Watch out for the new album(s).

In conclusion, it’s late and I’m

done. i‘ paar