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I Pearl Jan SOUND ABfflS MARCUS AMAKER Stall Writer NO CODE Pearl Jam kkk (out ot four stars) Listening to Pearl Jam's newest record, you quickly realize they have pown tremendously since thpir debut in 1991. Since that time they have released three stellar albums, and continue that trend with "No Code" Though this is the group's most inaccessible album to date, "No Code" is Pearl Jam's deepest record both musically and lyrically. While it may not be a total departure from their 112 meets promise t< M, sound mm ; DEREK SCOn Staff Writer 112112 (out of four stars) Michael, Marvin, Daron and Q make up 112, a quartet from Atlanta which have combined to produce a soulful expression helping to rejuvenate the new rhythm and blues movement, where the artist are becoming more than just 85 percent digitized. Making radio stations hot with their summertime debut single, "Only You," featuring the Notorious B.I.G, many in the R&B community had high expectations for the "112" CD. Well guess what? Not only did they deliver, "112", blows up the spot! The most relaxing aspect of this selftitled CD, is the fact that Sean "Puffy" Combs allowed other producer's to come in and work their magic. In addition to "Puff Daddy,"Tim and Bob (Boyz II Men's "Vibin"), Arnold Hennings, Stevie J., A1 B. Sure and n 9mi iiii i i i . A m I T&S | * ? A? 1 i explores trademark sound, this record will further that alienate those wanting to hear another from radio-friendly album like Ten". On o "No Code" is the least structured of "In IV their four albums. Evident from the asth? title, there is no common thread to fei connecting each of the thirteen songs, tradi Instead, the bulk of the album is loosely to all tied together by subtle themes of me"] frustration and loneliness. song As nlwnvs. the sDotlicrht is on Eddie pull Vedder. He has been able to make an J\ average song sound great with his voice "Vit; alone. The blues inspired "Smile" would reje< sound incredibly simplistic if not for succ Vedder's indistinguishable vocals. him "Habit" and "Lukin" rock in a way gene expectation ) R&B comr Kyle West all add their vibe which has can t become the best R&B album by a group song thus far in '96. Fait! Mid-tempo grooves such as "I Will A Be There," "Cupid" and "Come See Me," Puffy featuring Mr. Cheeks of Lost Boyz. fame, are ? m doses of great 1 I / music that can- * I either bring lib] ; lovers together, A or just calm the average w stressed out 6Tc collie student V* after a full day *4 rS lnrtnra T h e t w o ^ minor flaws about this CD, j occur as Puffy ; M?jdi uses samples that can be found on the CD's of other gem Bad Boy artists. youi "Call My Name," contains a sample or ji of Issac Haye's hit 'Walk on By," which It's < mamHi I F EtftfRL TilE 5E.C JJ^ME PAY. 6EPTE.M&E 4 Lb5ELL iJflUiE :AL PLAN 4.S cam cm W W1 # mww Bimt ET< darker I is reminiscent of the song "Blood" Co the group's second album, "Vs." on ne of the best tunes, the haunting an ly Tree," Vedder's intensity builds e song progresses. He allows himself his - ? i . fun l i el the isolation ot tne lyrics i i m uk ng stories with the leaves ... wave sh my friends/ they don't seem to notice vu while the band roars through a wl that not many other groups could gr off. wl lost of the subject matter on 1994's alogy" dealt with Eddie Vedder's th :tion of his group's overwhelming th ess. He has often disassociated th self with those who call him our th ration's premier rock icon. On "No ba ^ "1-% /AnrTO I S, M1UWS nunity >e found in the Notorious B.I.G.'s "Warning," and on R&B vocalist l's single "No Other Love." nd in the song, "In Love With You," r uses a sample from "Blind Alley," perfoimed by The Emotions, that can be found on fellow Bad Boy artist Craig Mack's "Funk Wit %h Da Style." One thing's for sure, though, what Puffy lacks in j originality, he definitely gains in finding, grooming ^fi and marketing new talent. If you enjuy iccii cuiu nut irated music, I suggest you i*ush to r nearest Blockbuster Music store, ist dub a friend's version of "112". definitely a great buy! 9i m MM i LfR6T ? L^AML ? J2.12TJJ ^ 4-9PM Tr : PAW f ? g I I i mw% c. ma ;hemes in de", this subject matter is revisited an equal the tracks "Sometimes," "I'm open," Its tribal d "Red Mosquito." most orij In "Sometimes", Vedder minimizes recorded ; popularity by singing "my small self/ Stone e a book amongst the many on the trades in elf." "I'm open" deals with the As good? lnerability of being in the public eye, the song lile "Red Mosquito" ends with the resemble oup chanting "If I had known then/ left off o lat I know now." seems ou Even with Vedder taking center stage, off as a I is album is much more of a group effort Whet an any of their previous releases. On He Goes e catchy first single "Who You Are," example e lead vocal doesn't overpower the a stoiy ff ickground vocals. Each member plays this tech Outkast's se< more matun SOUND iS ,/& drink! DEREK SCOTT Staff Writer Th -rzr: "Eleva ATLiens Outcast . , 2 (out of four stars) Thf The sophomore jinx has left the e< building! This statement must have 1PJM1 been made as Outkast, the Atlanta- I based rap duo were recording their I second album entitled, "ATLiens". After their 1994 debut CD, gQI "Southemplayerlisticadillacfunkymusic", ii which featured the number one single I "Player's Ball," the burden to create and I not duplicate another successful and I innovative project definitely weighed H I heavily on the backs of Dre, Big Boi and I H the production team. In "ATLiens", Outkast continues to I shine by generating more polished and mature lyrics with "meaning." This is defi "vocal adulthood," provides an alternative lyrics sound in rap music today where many as the "gimmick" artists such as AZ, Foxxy style. Brown, Lil' Kim and Tupac who focus F < on materialistic issues such as how they (Extr; ol/?nV?nllf? VlPVPT^CTPC: tVlPV 1H cl S' Uicoo aiiu nut uiwuviiv wv? -a?vj An alternative University oft St H Ins Coverage that complemen University-sponsored covi and Illness coverage. $1,000,000 in maximum Premiums are payable i It's portable - you keep (most student health pi, You decide how long y< / I M 1 _ nexiDie coverage penut For more Health Bencfi StudentInsu lj| The University of South C Mo newest part in bringing the song to life, big influence makes it one of the "B< jinal that Pearl Jam has ever wh Gossard wrote "Mankind" and foe i his guitar for the lead vocal. th< tbis idea sounds is as bad as mc turned out to be. "Mankind" be< 3 a song Dave Grohl would have wi f the Foo Fighters album. It t of place on the CD, and comes wi aughable experiment. Ja e "Mankind" fails is where "Off "N ;" triumphs. This song is an ele of Pearl Jam at their best: telling bu irough music. They've mastered hit nique to an art form, as in their ge :ond albn e, polishe c e first single off the album, ti tors (Me and You) has already a the charts by storm. s i question, "who's the better mc?"' t m Die and Big Boi) is raised. Dre a unssa s f B^pVH El H3 IvPfip^ 1 ftdEil*B3l j^Ml a 1 1 i nitely the better mc because his contain social awareness as well 1 ! traditional metaphorical b-boy or examiile, on "E.T. ( aterrestrial)," Dre says ... "cause j ense/ see we all be kinda fly/ just , health insurance pit South Carolin udeni lealth u ram ts Student Health Centej erage, such as Emergence benefits, nonthly. this plan as long as you ans terminate upon grad >u want your coverage. 1 Is. information, coi t Concepts, Inc. (800) 46 ranee Division (800) 30c Underwritten by _(rr*] BlucCrossBlueShicId W South Carolina * All Independent Lunurr nf the Blue Cross toil llliir Shield Aswk laimn Carolina docs not endorse or spouse nday, September 9, 1996 release gest hits "Jeremy," "Daughter," and stterman." The lyrics to the song describe a man 0 doesn't take time out for himself or those who love him. Vedder brings 1 character to life with some if the ?st earnest lyrics of his career: (He's en taking/ too much on/ off he goes/ th his perfectly unkept clothes"). Considering the pressure associated th success, it is amazing that Pearl m are still able to release good albums, o Code" combines all of the best ments of their three previous records, t it probably won;t garner as many t singles. It may take you a while to t used to "No Code", but you won't be im shows id lyrics *-r\ r-rv>??v-irl \rni\aincrc/hp n rl ill I I UC SCUJ CXI K.KJ V,C*VA JWWI ? Li 1D^ . . 3 better things/maybe the mockingbii-d nd nightingale, they want to ing/keeping this thing alive/ to the able's what we biing/we like hailstoims nd blizzaids in the middle of the spring" Regardless of who's the better mc, hough, real hip hop heads must agree hat Big Boi and Dre, are nice on the uic. The down side to "ATLiens", is that iome tracks did not have to make the inished product. Unfortunately they did, and as a esult, hurt the overall obesity of the ^D. "Mainstream" featuring Khujo and T-Bu of Goodie Mob and "Decatur Psalm" featuring Big Gipp and Cool Bi'eeze, are :wo of the less-heralded tracks which vill undoubtedly disappoint the listener ike attending a USC-DJ B Lord paity. But overall, the finished product is aanging! And with more creative ideas such as video concepts and the "ATLiens" :omic book which accompanies the CD jacket, the world should enjoy this close encounter of the "ATLien" kind! an for the a Students t ce 11 __ r services as wen as / Care, Accident pay the premiums uation). 'his plan offers itact: 3-2317 {-3815 >r this health plan.