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^ Picking FT- Your ^ Notes Bill Sengstacken As they say, you can't fight a trend. With that in mind I present what I consider to be among the top albums of 1988. It was a pretty good year ? much better than 1987 ? but there is still room for improvement. Let's Active became a cohesive whole, no longer simply the Mitch Easter solo project that seemed to crop up on earlier albums. The other three members on Every Dog Has His Day (I.R.S. Records), particularly Angie Carlson, tend to underscore the idea that this is a band, one that released the most enjoyable album of 1988. Dispelling the notion that you have to sell your soul to get a major label contract, Camper Van Beethoven succeeded with flying colors. Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart (Virgin Records), a tongue-in-cheek tribute to Patty Hearst, combines witty lyrics with incredible instrumentation. Extra high marks go to violinist Jonathan Segel who, more than any other member, is responsible for the band's distinctive sound. Billy Bragg has always impressed me with his songs extolling the virtues of socialism, but on Worker's Playtime (Electra Records), he shows another side of his personality. Yes, there are still snnoc that Karl Mary could whistle, but seven of the 11 songs deal with the affairs of the heart, specifically the full cycle of a relationship that Bragg just relinguished himself of. Touching to the extreme, this is a personal and poignant work. When I first reviewed the Butthole Surfers' Hairway to Steven (Touch and Go Records) this past spring, I gave it a rave review, but I honestly didn't think I'd listen to it as much as I have. In all honesty, this isn't for everyone, but if you can deal with a band that creates the most psychedelic music this side of Syd Barrett, you'll flip for this. If you're looking something a little less eclectic, you could do worse than the Pogues. If 1 Should Fall From Grace With God (Island Records) has party written all over it. ^ X 6 l-k A UT ilie r It brings out the in "the Welt Lutheran and United A/ Center located a Sunday Worship 5:30 f Wednesday 5:30 Wayne Kannaday 799-4993 Lutheran Chaplain ATTCRITIIIRI A ? i i era i lura h NOWS YOl To Train Wit WUSC-FM Your Aw Is Conductinc \ 7:00 Mond Rm 304 I Russell Early last semester I popped this Irish band on at a party, and it wasn't 10 seconds before someone was dancing on my coffee table. The band plays a combination of traditional Irish melodies combined with bar-band rock sensibility. Much more sedate by comparison is the latest from Canadian Jane Siberry. Playing in the same ballpark as Kate Bush and Laurie Anderson, Siberry uses the sound spectrum as more of a canvas than anything else. The Walking (Reprise Records) is extremely adventuresome, taking more than one listen to fully appreciate, but that is to the album's advantage. I've listened to this more times than I can count; 1 always h-ar something new. One of the coolest things about 1988 was getting a new album from Patti Smith. After nine long years, she returns in style with Dream of Life (Arista Records). While not as great as Easter or Horses, this is still one of the hottest discs of the year. Themes of motherhood and redemption abound with highlights including the catchy "People Have the Power" and the beautiful "Paths That Cross." After the incredible This Is the Sea, I almost felt sorry for the Waterboys. How do you top a masterpiece? The answer became obvious with the release of Fisherman's Blues (Chrysalis Records). Rather than repeat the electric sound of previous works, leader Mike Scott enlisted the aid of nine of his closest friends and made an almost exclusively acoustic album. The down-home sound makes for exquisite listening. This past year was the year for Irish music (except for U know who 2), and one of the most enjoyable outings was the pairing of Van Morrison and the Chieftains. Comprised almost exclusively of traditional Irish songs, this isn't an ~~ album that breaks new ground. In- f| stead, it's more of a tribute to the music that influenced these musicians as they grew up. It's infused with a || vitality and spirit that makes up for the lack or new material. Of course, these are only the tip of the iceberg. 1988 also saw strong albums from Tracy Chapman, the American Music Club, Jane's Addiction, Michelle Shocked, Graham f? Parker and Midnight Oil. p] This year looks promising as well. Within the next few months we should be hearing new stuff from Kate Bush, XTC, the Who and the album Elvis Costello and Paul McCartney have been working on for sj some time. p, Stick around; it should be good. I li idVteu Midlands t0 i best in all of us. _ t I. 1 ;otne place. iethodist Campus Ministry t 728 Pickens Street ).m. Supper provided 6:30 Supper and Worship Debra Quilling 799-7363 United Methodist Chaplain SPIRING D.J.s IR CHANCE :h The Best! I ibsome Alternative I ] Training At I ay Jan. 16 I Of USC's I House wuc The members of Tesla from left to right are Troy I Blue-collar rockers to Tesla: noBy TODD HINES Features editor Not many rock bands today refrain from glitz, glam and a teen following. It's difficult not to take orders from the record companies that shell out the clams and make stars. But one new band ? if they can be called new ? has a different game plan that includes nononsense rock 'n' roll without the make-up. Tesla's the name, and the band makes its second appearance in Columbia Sunday as the opening act for Poison. "We're not really trying to package ourselves and be molded," said Frank Hannon, who shares lead guitar duties in the band. Tesla is just a no-frills, soul-based rock band that works hard. They began a four-month tour Friday that will take them across the country. It's a contrast opening for Poison, a band noted for its glam-rock image, but as Hannon put it, "We're both rock bands." Hannon said Tesla joined the tour at the request Features' Weekend Slack cats and 1 My gosh, it's Friday the 13th! For this special da :atures desk have decided to include special "How lements at the tail of each bulletin. Why? Because we lat busts, or should we say arrests, are very unlucky The Koger Center (as in Nancy and Ira) opens in aturday. Not that, providing a propensity towards cists in your body in the first place, you could even ' 's happening anyway. Maybe, if you dressed in shab de and pressed your nose to the glass you could get ose yourself to some culture. The Golden Spur officially reopens tonight. Th ill begin playing and celebrating righteously at 8 p.m. nothing. To get arrested here, should boredom o< :commends either breaking something expensive or p ;er. If you just gotta dance and you like performing b Du're tired of smokey clubs, the USC Dance Comp; )r its spring concert at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the B1 enter, Room 114. Area dancers are invited to audit lodern and jazz styles of dance. Possible arrest pote >stume doesn't. Headbangers will have a ball Sunday night as the >wn. Opening for them will be Tesla. V I S I ON CENT Bring this ad to H. Rubin Vision Street location for special values for U.S. faculty. But hurry, these offers expire BUY A PAIR, J J\JL~ PAIR FREE*" Bring this coupon by H. Rubin's JJ Al 1338 Main Street location and when >\ you buy a complete pair of glasses choose your second pair from the 1989 fashion collection free* $119 DAILY OR EXTENDE BAUSCH & LOME SOFT CONTACT LEW What a price to write home about! This special offer inc eye examination and follow up visits. Tinted, astigmal are slightly higher. How can H. Rubin do it? $15 OFF ALL SUNGLA Ray Ban, Porsche, Carrera - H. Rubin's got-em all. Co Street before Jan. 31, 1989 for $ 15 off your new p Eye Exams Are Performed By Dr. V *Free second pair of glasses are first division, single visioi other special prescriptions { for contacts or glasses will ir charge. ) This ad must be presented at the of purcha offers are good only at the 1338 Main Street location. Th 31, 1989 and are not good with any other promotional offer. , A I " "" mHHI .uccketta, Tommy Skeoch, Jeff Keith, Brian Wheat ai play Sunday nonsense ro of Poison. The two bands met briefly this past year at the Texas Jam rock concert. F The band already has strong references, having t opened for the likes of David Lee Roth, Alice t Cooper and Def Leppard. Hannon said the members of Tesla became close friends with Lep- t: pard members through touring with them for six s months. t< * t( "We're not really trying to package ourselves and be molded." ^ ? Frank Hannon, Tesla 1 In totem, the band has been on the road 14 mon- a ths, an unusually long time for touring on the K wines of one record Rut as thev heoin their new T tour, Tesla will introduce their new album The Great Radio Controversy, scheduled for release C Jan. 31 on Geffen Records. T Hannon said it's a notch better than their first album, Mechanical Resonance, which sold more ai than 800,000 copies after its release in 1986. o Admission is absolute^ >efore large crowds and liny will hold auditions The Lo,,dOI, PI"'"armo? att Physical Education ion for classical ballet, The two bands bring diffe :ntial exists whenever a offers a glam-rock style, ar Tickets are still available fc group Poison rolls into features desk figure that e concert. E R S Center's Main C. students and colleg \ L- The savi, /against :d wear ^ ^ ^oo 3ES* { Retail I iludes contact fens. \ (t^no tic and bifocal lens yj [tlC i Retail 1 SSES C ACT NOW! O ilia l Get Your Balfou me to 1338 Mam > lair of sunglasses. I jAe Uni . ) Mori lark Taylor f Jan. 16 n lenses. Bifocals and 1 $1 tcur a slight additional } se and these special ^ ese offers expire Jan. I ll^lBal our.Co/ L M*? jfl nd Frank Hannon. ck 'n' roll He said Controversy is not too much more ex>erimental than Resonance, but the band is playing ogether better after going through so much ouring. After nearly two years, Tesla was able to take ime off and get back into the studio. But Hannon aid the surprising success of Resonance and the ouring kept from pressuring them into rushing ino a new album. A video has already been shot for the song Heaven's Trail," but a single from the album will ome later, he said. The band, which got its name from Nikola esla, the father of radio, is made up of Hannon nd Tommy Skeoch on double lead guitars, Jeff [eith on vocals, Brian Wheat on bass guitar and roy Luccketta on drums. Hannon said he is looking forward to hitting Columbia during the first leg of the tour where esla is always well received. Tickets for the Tesla/Poison concert are $17.50 nd are still available at the Carolina Coliseum box ffice. nfl Tf9: a^c. s?.. &?|uBt m %irm K?^ji 9 lie Orchestra :rent styles of rock to Carolina Coliseum. Poison id Tesla is an up and coming blues-based band. >r $17.50 at the Coliseum box office. We at the veryooay Knows now to get arrested at a rock _id }E CLASS RINGS lEEi ngs stack up great ? the competition. When you buy any men's ^ or women's 14 karat gold ^ Drice Balfour College Ring. < When you buy any men's \ or women's 10 karat gold J ?nce Balfour College Ring. \ ffer Expires: January 20, 1989 =? r Ring at a Special Savings at: versity Bookstore i. - Tues. - Wed. i, -17-18 9:00-4:30 f 15.00 Deposit '