Care to watch a good band anyone?

Too bad you mised it...

By Grace Kimpinski

On Monday, February 6, I took a stroll into the Apothecaries, where the Ottawa-based band Furnaceface was playing. Excel- lent show. I had heard that this band was good, but I think that was an understatement.

Thank God that Direct-Current was able to book this band, I don't think that I have ever seen a more exciting show in my life.

This band has been around for a few years, and in that time, they have been able to become one of the most talked about bands in Canada. Through touring across Canada and ap- pearing on MuchMusic, people have grown to love them. As The National Chart of Torono has said, "...destined to become legendary for their live shows....entranced audiences dancin’, groovin', moshin', and lighting their lighters before the night is through".

If anyone likes the funk side of alternative music, thay would not be disappointed by Furnaceface. It was the most energetic group I have ever seen. The music was always changing, one could not even begin to predict what the next tune would be.

Not only did Furnaceface sound good, but they looked

Rating System 5...music of the gods CTE LA

3...it's better than watching Full House re-runs IA PCO mC Nee 1...the music of the dogs

I think that the best thing about Furnaceface was the face that the audience could actually make out

what is being said in the songs.

Gypsy Soul Prescribed Vibe

(Hypnotic/A&M)

Canadian funk. No, that’s not an oxymoron. Ontario’s Gypsy Soul have discovered that one piece of disco that wasn’t disgusting and present it here beautifully. Don’t get me wrong, you won’t find any plastic drums or canned instruments on this| album. In fact, several of the songs were recorded live on the studio floor. Gypsy Soul is not lost in the seventies, but their powerful horns, heavy rhythm section, and competent vocals are undeniably retro. If your looking for a heavy dance groove without the electronic technodriod feel of most popular dance music, here it is.

(4)

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Kirst €Coll is not a new face in the music industry. With a career dating back to 1978, she is definitely a veteran. A long-time star in Europe, it is difficult to comprehend wi autiful voice, great lyrics, and charming style, she hasn’t caught on in the New World. Although this question remains, her fortunes may change with the album Galore. While thé

‘selections will be new to most Canadians, this album is actually a compilation of Kirsty’s best recordings from the past fifteen years. The length of this career leads to a great diversity in the recordings, which is one of the album’s greatest strengths. From the country twang of ‘“There’s a Guy Work’s Down the Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis’’ to the early 80’s pop innocen¢é ‘They Don’t Know”’, Kirsty’s voice captures and enchants the listener. The highlight of this album was the not-so-romantic love song ‘‘Fairytale of New York’’, originally released, 8 album Jf] Should Fall From Grace With God. This track captures the odd chemistry between Kirsty’s strong, clean voice and Shane MacGowan’s (poli

.

fon Eyre

really neat too. All ofthe members of the band wore sweat suits which looked like a basketball team's warm-up jersy.

The lead singer, dreadlocks and all, was one of the most interesting people to watch. Not only did he sing, but he also played the bass, and to make his appearance even more noticeable, he did all of this in his bare feet.

One of the highlights of the evening was when the group started playing "My girlfriend thinks she's too fat." Lighters were lit, the crowd was sway- ing, as they sang about the insecutities of their lover.

I think that the best thing about Furnaceface was the face that the audience could actually

make out what is being said in the songs. There isnothing worse than the singer being drownded out by the rest of the band, and - thankfully, Furnaceface knew how to avoid that.

Overall it was a great show, and if you weren't there, all Ihave to say is too bad you missed it. Hopefully they will come again on a weekend, when everyone can go.

By the way, speaking of weekends, Hemlock will be coming to the Apothecaries the weekend of the 17 and 18 of February. Hope to see you there-- it will be a rocking show.

vs God Lives Underwater | s/t | (Nitrus/Onion/American) | | This surprisingly listenable blend of modern punk and — | | techno/rave caught me completely by surprise. I make no | | apologies for my loathing of techno, yet I can’t help liking | the six songs on this self-titled release. The lyrics are admittedly bleak and cynical, and the plastic sound of the canned bass and percussion is unimpressive; however there are good melodies hidden under all the techno crap. It’s | | Alice in Chains that you can dance to. | (3.5) | |

Kirsty MacColl Galore (IRS/EMI)

lover. I hope we hear more from Kirsty in the future.

(5) -- Rory O’Connor

© eed} paige

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s @ 2 2000080042900"

Oo o 0 No... GREAT, 5 bey] Yoo!"

PUB Keats (oi A Ody Mike Began

unless otherwise stated

Pete Droge Necktie Second

(American)

This is one of the most simplistic releases I have listened 10 in a very long time. With the exception of the almost hooky “‘If You Don’t Love Me (I’m Killing Myself)’’, each track is so formulated and predictable that I could successfull) sing along the first time that I listened to the album. Tht style is a very unappetizing light roots-rock. The instrumet tation and vocals are competent, however, the songs and lyrics are not. Unless generic acoustic pop is your thing, leave this disc on the rack.

(2.5)

put) if to any mus!

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February 7, 19%