December 3, 1996

~-«' Eriendz

get some other people equally excited. So, our live show is pretty good thermometer | suppose, but as far as the aes- thetic, I don't know. Lyrically we're kind of shy of where we'd like to be. I don't think we're as fluent as we'd like to be, but sonically, we're getting there. We're sort of coming together asa band. I don't know what to say. I don't know whatthe one thing about our music that is the most im- portant thing. Prob- ably “just the drum- ming or something. I don't know.

PP: Some of your songs are in the Progressive vein and others are sort of regres- sive. Also, on stage there are extrovert tendencies with some of the band, and not so much introvert qualities, but just straight man qualities with others. There seems to be a really good balance in your band. Do you agree?

Matt: Well, yeah, I guess so. I think the balance is be- tween the extroverted live _+ show and the introverted lyri- cal content. We're not sing- ing 'C'mon Baby’ or 'T'm lyin’ on my bed in my room all by myself.' You know, like screaming that into the mic or something. You know what I ‘mean? I think that represents a funny little double standard or something. As far as the whole make up of the band, I suppose we've all got our little

pretty active and Lonnie is quite the showman. The race is between me and Lonnie for showmanship. I think Lonnie wins out. I'd like todo a show and just play, stand still and have people go crazy. I do it because I want peo- - ple to get as ex- : cited about the mu- sic as I am [and] as excited about the rock show as Iam. Ican'tun- derstand why people would just sit there. Not that we're that great or any- thing, but it's just that I feel if] feel excited about the music I assume that there's some good reason for it. If you go to a rock show, you should do whatever you want. Act like an idiot. Who cares? Its the one time when you should just be able to say whatever the hell you like, do whatever you want. I mean, I've made an ass out of myself a million times on stage, with falling and stuff, but who cares?

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Entertainment @* The Panther Prints

William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet

Music from the Motion picture

Various Artists

Capitol

I went to see Romeo + Juliet and loved it, so I bought the soundtrack for the movie...and I love it! The soundtrack is a mix from vari- ous artists including Garbage, The Cardigans, and Everclear.

Despite what you im- pressions you might have about the movie, the sound- track is not completely ran- dom insanity, nor is itall sappy lovesongs. The styles of music range from the melancholia of Radiohead to the upbeat techno of Kym Mazelle (a la Priscilla Queen of the Desert style). There is even a selec- tion of sweet soulful choir music by Quindon Tarver. Desree's "Kissing You", the modern love theme from Romeo + Juliet, is beautiful. Her strong voice accompanied by only a piano and some strings is sweet listening. Turn this on and find your Romeo! The only track that I don't par- ticularly like is "Pretty Piece of Flesh" by One Inch Punch. Fartoo much yelling and weird industrial rock for me.

I could go on to discuss all the tracks on the CD, but that would ruin the surprise for you. If you have already seen the movie, have fun fig- uring out which songs go to what part in the movie. If you haven't seen the movie, buy the CD anyway!

Rating: ***** By Emilie Adams

HELPING THE WORLD

Weare

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ND OPINIONS *-*>~

S00

Richard Thompson has returned to recording with a divergent but strangely compelling new album, You? Me? Us? (Capitol). This is an album witha split personality disorder. It features two disks with similar, occasionally identical songs. One disk is acoustic, the other electric. Thompson himself describes this as “Two records for the price of one and three- seventeenths”. I call it an excellent way to create an album suitable for a variety of listening moods. The music is fun, thoughtful, and very well played. It sounds inherently celtic, although it lacks the requisite traditional instruments. You?Me?Us? is an excellent listen for people who enjoy intelligent guitar drivin folk rock. ****

Eric Johnson has been named “Best Overall Guitarist” by Guitar Player magazine for the past four years. With his lates release Venus Isle (Capitol/EMI), Johnson proves that the honor is well warranted. Venus Isle is a “Guitar Hero” album with a differance. Sure, it is full of noodling and blistering pyrotechnics, but it is also a seamless, emotionally moving song set combining rock energy with pop lyrics, and plenty of bluesy touches. Evenly split between vocal and instrumental selections, Venus Isle may not appeal to everyone. Guitar fans will love it, but if you are not a guitarzan, this album may not be for you. I find it to be excellent background music for reading or studying. If you like Joe Satriani or Steve Vai, you will love Eric Johnson. ***

Magic Dick & Jay Geils have released a very decent little blues album, Little Car Blues (Rounder). Dick & Jay have a very vintage sound that could appeal to a wide audiance of blues fans. Although the sound is a little thin, the music is fun and well played. The tracks are all pretty standard blues fare; most are of the southern “Jump Blues” variety. If this sounds like your kiknd of album, give it a try. ****

Little girl vocals. Crunchy guitars. Men are scum. Sound familiar? Well, welcome to the year of the whiney white woman. Luckily notall whiney white women are created equally, as is proved by this new release from Patti Rothberg - Between The 1 and the 9 (EMI). Rothberg is different, and therefore refreshing, because she has taken a less origional approach to her songwriting. Patti is no modern-rock Alanis clone; she plays old fashioned hard rock with a genuine party feeling that could have you dancing and singing along by the third track. Her slowest song "Inside" has already been a radio hit, and teh rest of the album is better. Not origional, not profound, but a hell of a lot of fun. ****

Power Punk Alt-Rock without a single referance to drugs or hating the world? Can it possibly be? Well, roll over Kurt, here come Montreal’s Doughboys with their new album Turn Me On (A&M). Twelve great power pop songs with plenty of raunch, and not one about heroine! Finally, a band with some egde and the balls to say they are tired of doom and gloom, and the “musicians” who use a syringe as a shortcut to credibility. While the rest of the nuveau punks binge on old Sabbath retreads, Doughboys have decided to have some fun and create songs with airtight harmonies and lots of adrenalin. Turn Me On is well worth a listen if you want a little cheering