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Arts & Entertainment

The Cadre

¢ 12 January 1999

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The Cardigans Gran Turismo (Stockholm Records)

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Gran Turismo is Swed- ish pop quintet The Cardigan’s third album release, and their first since “Lovefool”, from their second album, became an international hit after it was included on the Romeo and Juliet movie soundtrack. “Lovefool” propelled The Car- digans to international stardom, and raised questions about

whether or not they could keep up the expectations of the fans on their third album. Gran Turismo definitely proves that they can.

The previous albums of The Cardigans were heavily influ- enced by everything from lounge music to pure pop, lead- ing some critics to mistakenly

describe themselves as. Gran Turismo takes its cue from some of the darker trip-hop pioneered in the British under- ground seen by Tricky and Massive Attack. Nina Persson’s soft, plaintive vo- cals drift over immaculate instrumentals as The Cardi- gans perform their patented

The cynical “My Favourite Game” is the stand-out track on this album, and “Erase/Re- wind” and “Explode” are also high-quality, but the last two tracks drag on.

On the whole, Gran Turismo isavery good album; aficiona- dos of (good) Scandinavian pop music should get it.

- Randy McDonald

U2 The Best of 1980-1990 (Island)

U2 hasrightfully gained a reputation as one of the best of the major rock combos of the 1980’s and 1990’s. The Best of 1980-1990 assem- bles their most memorable al- bum tracks from U2’s first

decade of existence, including “Pride (Inthe Name of Love)”, “With or Without You”, “I Will Follow”, and the band’s col- laboration with B.B. King on the Rattle and Humtrack “An- gel of Harlem”. An added bo-

nus is a remixed version of “Sweetest Thing”, a B-side from the 1987 single “Where the Streets Have No Name”.

Although the tracks on The Best of 1980-1990 sound a bit out of joint, this album is

an excellent introduction to U2 for aspiring fans. Me, I’m be- ginning to look forward to The Best of 1990-2000, which is supposed to come out before thenew millennium.

- Randy McDonald

Barking Monkey evoLver (Spinning Weasel)

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This is a very interest- ing CD of Celtic rock. Bark- ing Monkey is a five member band based out of Seattle, and from the sound of this CD,

__ they’d be right at home in the

East Coast music scene. In- cluded on this album are sev- eral finely done instrumental pieces, featuring instruments such as the fiddle, mandolin

and guitar, all kept in place by a driving bass and drumbeat. Vocal duties are shared by bassist Tara Hovel and Bear, who plays mandolin and gui- tar. At times the vocals come across as a little rough, but this always fits the musical atmos- phere. Other members of the band are fiddler Jan Strolle, drummer Ian Martindale, and

Jan Martindale— who playsa number of different instru- ments such as fiddle, flute, keyboards, and who also step- dances.

Toptracks include “The Ballad of Ned Kelly,” a song about an Australian folk hero similar to Jesse James; “Morrison’s Morning Dew,” a

rocking instrumental; and “Drunk Since Ever,” featuring the gruff vocals of Bear. Entertaining and enjoy- able — what else can one ask for? Barking Monkey defi- nitely delivers on this album. Website: http:// members.home.net/

barkingmonkey

Bret Michaels

A Letter From Death Row — The Album

(Poorboy)

sensation who put out such tunes as “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn,” “Your Mama Don’t Dance,” and “Unskinny Bop,”

Rock Band” — a song that takes you back to Poison’s heyday. Another top track is “Steel Bar Blues,” proving

released to date, although last word had it that it was scheduled for release on November 10.

album. However, if you’rea fan of his Poison days (especially the material put out by the original Dall/

and this is the first album once again that Bret can sing Whetherornotyou’ll Deville/ Michaels/Rockett Ifyou recognize the featuring Bret’s vocalssince some mean blues. eniou this album dependson lineup), you’ll find this al- name, odds are that you’rea_ 1993°s Native Tongue. On This is the official whetherornotyou’reafanof bum’s 13 tracks enjoyable fan ofthe“glamslamkingsof this album, Bret is reunited soundtrack for the oft-de- Michaels’ previous work. If enough to warrant buying. noise,” Poison. Bret is the withguitaristC.C. Devilleon Jayed movie Bretmade. I’m you’venever liked his work lead singer of this 80’s the opening track, “Party potsureifthemoviehasbeen before,don’tbother withthe www.bretmichaels.com The Punters ; : ; : : ; : ; She said~ she offwellonhisalbum. something their fellow Hiscock, who provide the oe Se tOaNCe. Co uaidiyt dance is ta enjoy- This album features os Great Big catchy beat. r 88 able release from The Punt- 14 tracks, including several Seq should takea lesson in). Top tracks include ers, a Newfoundland band__ instrumentals which show off Thereisplentyoffine “Reena” — the video for that combines the sounds of howtalented the bandreally fiddling provided by Patrick which can be occasionally Newfoundland and Celtic is. When these guys getout Morna, and lead vocalist seen on MuchMusic, and traditional music with their their instruments and do a | arryFoleyaddsanicetouch “Polka!Polka!Polka!,” which own brand of garage rock. | version ofanold onthemandolin. Thebandis despite a somewhat cheesy The result is an enjoyable traditional tune, theymanage rounded out by bassistBrian nameisastunning instrumen- blend, ablendthatisshown- to do so in good taste Kenny and er Bob tal.

www.eu.nf.ca/punters