The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, September 16, 1996, Page 5, Image 5
'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
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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!
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nusic of '96
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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
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. All ABC Regulations Enforced.
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