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'Friction, Bab SOUND ADVICE MARCUS AMAKER Staff Writer FRICTION, BABY Better Than Ezra kick^j (out of tour stars) Sometimes the best music is the kind which grabs you the first time you hear it. Concept albums are becoming more and more the exception as bands record CD's full of catchy, radio friendly songs. Better Than Ezra's exceptional onnVinmnni PH <rEVintinn RqViv " ia an ou^/liuuxui v y^xsj JL iivvivii) *-* *->j f IW Uii example of this, and contains some of the best "alternative" music released this year. debut CD "Deluxe" didn't produce any more hits, it went on to become a top seller. After original drummer Cary Bonnecaze left the band, Kevin Griffin (vocals), Tom Drummond (Bass) and replacement drummer Travis McNabb were suddenly faced with the unenviable task of following up their initial success. During their tour in support of "Deluxe," the group signed on with a major label (Elektra), and had to handle -sh criticism from rock critics who questioned their musical talent. "Friction, Baby" is an answer to those who prematurely predicted Better Than Ezra's demise. Enlisting the help of producer Don Gehman (Hootie and the Blowfish, Tracy Chapman), the 13 tracks on "Friction, A] Welcome! Julie Anderson Mandi Bailey Stephanie Banks Laura Belka Caroline Bell Lauren Boggi Missy Brazzell Laura Ashley Brooks Stacey Brown Cheryl Burnett Jeanne Chamberlain Jodi Clutts ^ April Dantzler V* Mindy Davis \ Ella Dickerson \ Betts Floyd Aaron Godbold 1 Caroline Hill Kari Jacobs Jessica Knight fcr. "The E Elizabeth Bassham Mary Ellen Bentley Dee D Boone Stephanie Bray Lindsay Brock Holly Carrol] Chrissy Carter Kim Carter Kim Chapman Sarah Cherney Kelly Cromer Lydia Durant Jennifer Feracco Congratulation 1 iv' offers best J Baby" would sound right at home on the radio. Most of the songs are better than anything on "Deluxe," and it would be a shame if this album doesn't surpass the album's commercial success. Lead singer/guitarist Kevin Griffin knows his strengths and weaknesses. Instead of falling into the familiar trap of "angry angst-ridden rock star," Griffin seems to enjoy himself on this album. Maybe it's the fact that this is the group's major label debut, or that the songs are so good, but Better Than Ezra have never sounded this confident. ??The first single "King of New Orleans" is a hit. "Long Lost" has a K"i harder edge to it but j Mm still features a great sing-along choms. ^h "Hung the Moon" and "Desperately Ik i| Wanting" are both LJ irresistible. Both of these songs have ultracatchy guitar hooks and hummable . melodies. The slower tunes provide numerous highlights, none more so than "Happy Endings." After hearing this song's lush chords, you'd swear that it was a longlost nursery rhyme. "Happy Endings" showcases an underrated aspect of Griffin's talent: his voice. Whereas on other songs Griffin's vocals resemble other chart-topping acts, "Happy Endings" displays how beautiful he can sound against an equally melodic acoustic guitar. Perhaps the best part of "Friction, Baby" comes in the form of their most original song, the strangely titled "at CH DEGAULLE, etc." It's an instrumental track that serves as the [pha Delta ?its 1996 Alpha Jest of What's A t i Tau 3 Brooke Finklea Laura Frey "WIT Jgelle Graziano Mand me Greene Katky Harmon Heatker Hart Sara Hill Courtney Hokart Amker Howell Jodi Howell Toni Jacoks Mickelle Kin? is New Member VE LOVE YOU AL1 : alternative r WtkM fr ik, (Left to right) Kevin Griffin, Tom D Better Than Ezra. "Friction, Baby," i perfect ending to the album. Complete with trumpets, "at CH DEGAULLE, etc" is inspired by their home state of Louisiana. This not only shows that they are willing to take chances, but it also shows that Better Than Ezra are secure in themselves, their loyal fans (labeled "Ezralites"), and their music. "Friction, Baby" is the type of CD Pi Members Amber Lee Catherine Lurch Jaime Massey Schuyla Meetze Shelley Owens Catherine Peele Shannon Pinel Robin Potter Cissy Reid Bracey Robuck Alison Rogers Ashley Streeter, *7 Sara Stephans / Dani Teal Anna Margaret Thorten Shannon Ullery Kelly Wannamaker Kelly Wheeler Elliot Woods round" lpha Krlsty Jel enife Jori Lindstrom Courtney Lyles Jennifer TVtajoSr Klizaketli Tedrlck l^JLUULZr Adair Oxley Amanda Powell Alice Ro pers Julie Shirley Lori SmitK Susan Sten^l Amy TW person Melanie west Class of 1996! f : i nusic of '96 ^ 'jjjp ftfl jr# Bh k .. ^?= SPECIAL TO. THE GAMECOCK rummond and Travis McNabb are s their newest release. that will attract new and old fans to the music of Better Than Ezra. Top 40 radio should be all over this album, because it contains some of the best "alternative" music to grace a CD this year. It's unlikely that we'll be talking about this album in five years, but "Friction, Baby" sounds right for the times. In an ever-changing music industry, thats all that counts. /^M l^Al 733 Santee Avem Five Points 256-7764 http://www.colasc.com/monti If you are under the age of 21 i If you think you can in management, see Gunnery Sergean at the Russell Hous 'High School Hig one of best offer somrnm 1 DEREK SCOTT Staff Writer HIGH SCHOOL HIGH Various Artists jr-k-k (out ot four stars) The last'soundtrack I purchased was from the motion picture, "Juice". The year was 1988. Of course, there's been more soundtracks that were banging since 1988 ("Above The Rim", "New Jersey Drive"), but when the roll call was unveiled for the movie "High School High", R&B and hip-hop wiiWscHOi community dominated ^ the list, making this CD purchase a must! The* jjgg Braxtons' "So Many I Ways," D'Angelo and I Erykah Badu's remake of Ashford and Simpson's "Your I Precious Love," Faith I Evan's "I Just Can't," Jodeci's "Wild Side," and Changing Faces' "I Got Somebody Else" are the R&B joints on the CD that act as the appetizer for the full course meal of spectacular music. The only knock to the R&B selection on the "High School High" soundtrack is the fact that, out of the 20-track CD, five R&B songs just isn't enough. The sixth song, "Bohemian Rhapsody," performed by The Braids, is just plain wack! Surprisingly, the opposite occurs with the rap selections, where many artists that made the final cut do not add extra punch, but instead, extra noise. "Why You Wanna Funk?," performed by Spice 1, E-40, and The Click, supports the fact that corny lyrics and weak production are the basis fonwest coast rap music, which will undoubtedly be "the jam" for the same people who believe Coolio's "Sumpin' New (1,2,3,4)" and rPark Your @#! a' For Monday Live remote and i $2.75 Killian's Pir $6.95 Dos Equis f cto EH \a f rr r\ -wi4- r* o IVXdX^dXXLdJ $1.50 Rolling Roc errey jack it is illegal to purchase alcoholic beverages You 10 Weeks. jch time to prove you're capable of being and determined, ten weeks and a lot of ficer of Marines. And Officer Candidates chance to prove you've got what it takes )f challenge, full of honor. Anyone can say ider, we'll give you ten weeks to prove it. wines Proud. The Marines. handle this crash course 1 Captain McCulloh and t Flores on Sept. 26th ;e, or phone 256-9015. we ll Give Ten weeks may not seem like mi a leader. But if you're tough, smart hard work could make you an Of School (OCS) is where you'll get the to lead a life full of excitement, full c they've got what it takes to be a lei Ml The firm Tht ;h' soundtrack ed since 'Juice' Crucial Conflict's "Hay" are the best rap songs of96. Lil' Kim's "Queen B@$#H," Sadat X and Grand Puba's "The Next Spot," and Quad City DTs "CMon IT Ride It (The Train-Part II)" Bass Remix are songs which do not compare to the remaining hip-hop tracks on the CD. The grandfather and undisputed freestyle champ of rap, KRS-ONE, begins to stabilize this CD with the hardesthitting cut on the soundtrack, "High School Rock" The Large Professor and Pete Rock (the best S speaking about'"The mBwWM Rap World." Officially reinstated ^pHpipkM NativeTounge groups, De La Soul ("I Can't Call It"), and IBSnHflHH A Tribe Called Quest ("Peace, Prosperity, and Paper"), represent lovely, and prove once again that they are the time innovators of the hip hop culture. Finally, the most undeirated hip hop band, The Roots, deliver the goods on the cut "The Good, The Bad and The Desolate," and rap's version of New Edition- the RZA, Method Man, and Cappadonna of the Wu-Tang Clan- round out this award-winning cast of peifoimers with their party rocking single, "WuWear The Garment Renaissance." There's no doubt High School High is the best R&B'rap soundtrack in years. I strongly recommend going to your nearest record store and grabbing one. Not since the "Juice" soundtrack has this difficult attempt of blending both genres and satisfying the listener been done to perfection. The "High School High" soundtrack should be a definite in your CD collection. Your congenial. personal stereo. WUSC 90.5FM t Monterrey Jack's Night Football giveaways with 93.5 its litchers k Dnfflr m k thE rOck aLterNatlvE . All ABC Regulations Enforced. ~i rail i mm ? | I. i i i | todavi f : i 777-1184 *\5aitlcock