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* Sheryl Crc SOUND ADVICE MARCUS AMAKER Staff Writer SHERYL CROW Sheryl Crow AAA (out of four stars) omparing Sheryl Crow's two albums, tl day and night. 1993's "Tnesrlav Niaht Mi VVI v . f ; VO v. iter NO1 A H H ~ ~~J ~ "D"~ * introduced the world to a wi singer/songwriter who was eager to sho it was all right to have fun. Fueled by ha smile and a handful of good songs, Crow proved th doesn't need to hide behind a false image to be: However, her latest album, simply titled "Shi provides us with a much different picture. Her smi i# aced by a look of discontentment as she focuses h on more serious issues. Crow knows she could easily make another i "Tuesday Night Music Club," but this new sell Van Halen SHIND ADVICE CrtRtS RICHTER Staff Writer BEST OF VOLUME 1 Van Halen (out of four stars) If you are like me, you are still a little miffed about the recent personnel changes in Van Halen. It seems as if they went from Sammy Hagar to David Lee Roth /">i ? 1?i. c lu vjcujr v/iiciunc 111 uic msi lew inonins. That sissy Cherone," as one Van Halen diehard described him, was the lead singer of Extreme, whose biggest American hits included "More in Words" and "Hole Hearted." Many said tney think he did not have the resume to fill the shoes of Diamond Dave and Hagar. To clear things up, here's a summary about what has transpired in the last few months. In June, Sammy Hagar left the band. It is still uncertain as to whether or not he was fired. Rumors about Roth's return began to surface. It became official that Roth would be returning to New relea SOUND iPyiCE Ove ROBERT BERNTSEN Staff Writer Stevens EVERYTHING SUCKS Descendents ] (out of four stars) a numt) jr differen ASCENDENTS 3: milium p! 1 ? J I ] are felt J^Thei I^N 1982s"! Califom: ?? - =? albums The iw's new C release is a bit of a departure from ] radio-friendly songs of the pa Encompassing drum machines, fu; guitars, voice-over techniques and dei keyboards (most of which Crow plaj herself), "Sheryl Crow" would be a b hey are like step for any artist, especially one try to overcome the dreaded sophomore ji isic Club" Lyrically, she dives deeper into t i de-eved subiects onlv hinted at in older snr w the world like "Solidify and "The Na-Na Son r trademark From the opening chords of "Maj at an artist Angels" to the haunting echo of "Odin; successful. Morning," one quickly realizes She iryl Crow," Crow has progressed more in three ye le has been than some artists have in a lifetime. I er attention while ifs refreshing to hear her challer herself and her music, she seems to album like trying too hard to prove that she '-produced another level. produces g do two new songs for the greatest hits album. Everyone assumed he was back for good. MTV had a great commercial showing Dave highlights along with the theme from "Welcome Back Kotter." They appeared together for the first time in over a decade at the 1996 MTV Music Awards. The band, presenting an award to Beck, were enthusiastically greeted by the crowd. Roth, strutting and dancing, took attention away from Beck'as he was giving his acceptance speech. This did not sit well with the other band members. Backstage later, Eddie fielded questions from reporters. When asked about the singer situation he said the only thing definite in the future of the band was his December hip surgery. Dave pulled him aside and said, "Tonight's about me, not about your f?ing hip." This made Eddie very angry. He claims Dave was never back in the band, and he now says this incident eliminated the possibility of ever again doing work with the ex-frontman. In late September, it was announced, to the N greatest ot eveiyone is fortunate enough and conl to have a movie character like a band < Mr. Holland in their lives; beyond-i someone who creates and helps The] another's love for music grow songs in mature. with rel But what some lucky people have is emotion the Descendents. The Descendents have years ha given their love for music to eveiy kid songs cai that has heard them play. Every note by anyoi and every word cultivates that love, world's f Breaking the world down into its simplest Descend form, there are two types of people in Love T1 the world?those who love the perspecti Descendents and those who have never _ na:vp 1 heard them play. emotion Ten years after its breakup, the add ictl Descendents have reformed with c ?gye ^Everything Sucks" on Epitaph Records. j)escende ar n< PPaP I Jk i rembci ses: will t r the last decade, drummer Bill songs and eight on, guitarist Steve Egerton and "I Won't Let Karl Alvarez played in All, with deal with famili; er of different singers. The key and after all th ce between the greatness of the them again, lents and the mediocrity of All "I Won't Lei r Milo Aukerman. Aukerman song, gives the r le other three better, and through let me let you d s, creates better songs. Aukerman The last song very-man quality to him, because by Karl Alvarez intelligent lyrics whose emotions every Descende ; by any and every listener, time they hear ring Sucks" succeeds because of band."When I fi an, something All could never feel strong, feel 2 right. the essence of tl irony of the Descendents, besides power, iffilo Goes to College," is that the According to 1 ia punk band does not have any "Thank you for pi that rank up there with the And thanks for 1 of the great. It has always been, that everything SOUND ADV )t okay songs and incredible .Olds songs. DEREK scon Descendents have written silly ANOTHER LEVI the past, but when it dabbles (outoffo ationships, some of the most ally pure songs of the past 30 ve been created. Descendents* l be identified and sympathized le. The Descendents write the ifH \ Jam eelings in its songs. Old school ents songs, "Clean Sheets," "In ives on infidelity, pure love, and lilt nersist.ent. hnnp For everv - and situation, the Descendents ires to words. |||||^^^^ rything Sucks" follows the aits' pattern with seven mediocre ovemb , ilk I/* /v Gamecock ^b8H| I Monday, Ho\ D takes mi tier st. sshbSb a szy H|flBU^jttgEEfl|^^H ti ise ^B^^^K||HB|^S^B^^^H E /ed aBp ImSftJw old k ing fi nx. V| B||,;lra |H| a he HB| w Igs erix, ieaay aoesjustenoi to ruin the track, remin< role of Prazrel, the weake hip-hop group the Fuge Teddy's production and s I the cuts"(Money Can't) and "Don't Leave Me" she is one of R&B's most co |; behind Jimmy Jam and Babyface, DAngelo and ] >er 4 v\u r 91 (J, I u I ^ g" MMIMHKsl^K P ^ j9| fc ryl bi ars io Jut tc jge SHERYLCROW 01 be has taken her music to tackles social issues, as "Love is a Good Thing." reatest hits chagrin of fans, that Cherone had been chosen to fill the slot. Fans were given another chance, though, to enjoy the old Van Halen with the release of "Van Halen-Best of Volume 1." This collection is a solid representation of the music of Van Halen. There are eight songs from the David Lee Roth era, seven from the Sammy Hagar era and two new Roth tracks. The album starts out, appropriately, with "Eruption" a near two minute guitar explosion. This instrumental defined Van Halen, a band whose success really hinged on the guitar work of Eddie Van Halen. Alan innlnrlorl frnm tVio Pn+Vi dm owi aAir\'f UV4VU II vui uiv xvvvii wiu ai t iliii V Talkin' 'Bout Love," "Runnin' with the Devil," "Dance the Night Away," "And the Cradle will Rock..." "Unchained,-" and from the very successful "1984" album, "Jump" and "Panama." While other songs may have been better choices, these are good selections that parallel the excess of the '80s. Roth was the perfect lead singer. He had the flare and swagger that fit the times. Eddie Van Halen, perhaps the greatest hey becon ; great songs. A "f he New Jack Sv ; Me" and "I'm the One" I Artists such ? ar Descendents subjects, JL Today and Gu} is time, if s nice to hear making music v giving them ph t Me," the album's best during the late '80s and eassurance that "I won't Teddy Riley.(the or own." New Jack Swing) is conti [, Thank You," is written thing with the group Bh , but its lyrics are what An often overlooked ;nts fan has said every songwriter having work a song by their favorite fr?m Heavy D to Michael sel week, you make me P08^ Teddy's latest jams c like nothing's wrong" is on Blackstreet's "Anoth le Descendents musical After firing members and Levi Little, Blacksti the last line of the album, Teddy Riley, Chauncey "B laying the way you play." Mark Middleton and I lelping a 21-year-old see Recorded mostly at Fut does not suck. Studios m Virginia Beach tgf% Level" has to be at the top this year. Staff Writer Skyrocketing the chan EL Blackstreet the single "No Diggity," ur stars) Dre and Queen Pen, one t Teddy Riley's terrible sing JdfcMJaril changed! In fact, on My Para Wind and Fire sounding j tv n m i l i inmhnr A IDAfi rMIRlW JkXJ&i* isic in new The result is an often uneven politicians lbum that isn't entirely accessible to / throw us lose in search of another "All I Wanna excavate /1 \f\n r\r* a.Q+"?wnrr Plnnnrrli n i4iz*rl V? VI K/uvug iJUVUgll. U1CU ill liaw This doesn't mean "Sheryl Crow" voice unlik icks good songs. The underappreciated similar in r rst single "If It Makes You Happy" is because of n indication of the new direction Crow Much o ants her music to go in. like "Swee Then there's "Home," an almost Marie" and erfect tale about the questions many Sheiyl < tee on the morning after. moved on f "The Book," featuring Crow on Michael Ja< ass and wurlitzer, describes a long lost hates becai ve while she sings "sometimes we come on popular i learn by mistake that the love you It'll be : ice made can't be undone." next given 1 Sheryl Crow shines when she H she c I in the songs "Redemption Day" and work is ah( ' "Redemption Day" ridicules corrupt album desp While other songs may have been bette that parallel the excess off the '80s. Rol the fflare and swagger that ffit the times guitarist of all time, left people wondering, "How'd he do that?" Admittedly, I am not a fan of the Van Hagar era. I am glad the collection included my personal favorite, the drill friendly "Poundcake." Other songs from the era included "Why Can't This Be Love," "Dreams." "When It's Love " "Rieht Now." "Can't Stop Loving You" and from the Twister soundtrack, "Humans Being." You can really hear a change in the style of music when the band switched from Roth to Hagar. The Hagar songs were a little deeper lyrically than the songs of the first seven years. However, Lbelieve that had it not been for Eddie's guitar, many of these songs could fall under the dreaded power balled category. The first new track, "Can't Get This Stuff No le a hit or ring era is dead! Song for song, Blackstreef s "Ai is A1 B. Sure!, Level" CD may be better than th i are no longer one, but the vibe is strange. This: rithin the units be because Teddy fired David an< itinum success with no remorse, early '90s. After listening to the CD, you iginator of the help but wonder if the next Black nuing to do his CD will have any of the current me ickstreet. on it, except Teddy, producer and "Another Level" by Blackstre< ed with artists good investment, and you might Jackson in the to pick it up. an be captured Lef s just hope the guys stay tog ler Level" CD. and that Teddy will stop singing. David Hollister onnun m eet consists of OUUHU Hi? ? f&>j? lack" Hannibal, ROBERT KNIGHT Staff Writer Iric Williams. CANt STOp THE ROCK DJ Kizzy are Recording (out of four stars) ., Va., "Another ~ of R&B groups ts thus far with featuring Dr. " hing is certain- > ing voice hasn't JHHUHfl dise" (Earth, oint) and "The M igh singing not iHHa iing me of the fl jjgjrij st mc from the ses. However, ongwriting on Buy Me Love" twswhyTeddy J Kizzy Rock is veted talents I W impressive at all oi Terry Lewis, *?*-1 debut CD "Can't Sto Et.Kelly. Rock." This CD doe /^\ fj I 111 M All Movies 1 _ V7 M 8 p.m. in i J A mw 45 direction with lyrics such as "what do you have for us today a bone but save the plate...was there no oil to 10 riches in trade for the fate / of every person who 5." She sings the song in a sarcastic, almost childish e one ever heard before. "Love Is a Good Thing" is lature and is destined to become her next hit single its ultra catchy chorus and relevant lyrics, f the rest of the album contains mediocre songs t Rosalvn." "Evervdav Is a Windincr Rnad " "OVi 1 "Hard to Make a Stand." Crow is a sign of an artist who has grown up and nom her humble beginnings as a backup singer for ckson. It is the kind of album critics love and radio lse it doesn't fit many of the current labels placed music. r interesting to see what Crow will come up with he disparity of sound between her first two albums, ontinues in the direction she's headed, her best ;ad of her. ite conflict r choices, these are good selections th was the perfect lead singer. He had More," is a slow song with a bluesy feel. It relies more on the talent of Eddie Van Halen than that of Roth. The second track, "Me Wise Magic," makes me long for the salad days of Van Halen. Roth begins singing in a deep, distorted voice, only to revert back to old form screaming and screeching like on the classic "You Really Got Me." You can also hear the new, mature Van Halen with the great harmonies in the background This album is for you if you are tired of the "altemarockers" who take themselves too seriously (and have little talent), and you long for the days when rock 'n roll was about getting drunk and chasing women. Relish this album, but realize you can't get this stuff anymore. a miss? . lother even compare to the work he did on "So e first So Def Bass All-Stars." might The lyrics in most of the tracks are 1 Levi degrading to women and talk about unimportant subjects. The profanity on i can't this CD has absolutely no point and is street often misplaced, mbers One of the best tracks out of a total of 20 is the previously released "Yeah, it is a Shawty, Yeah." This track shows off want more of the skills DJ Kizzy Rock u^ed to make us all dance to on Flaya Poncho's ;ether ?Whatz Upj Whatz Up." For those who are bass lovers, the best tracks are "Can't Stop the Rock" and its remix. The bass is continuous and fhe tightest on the whole CD. Rock DJ Kizzv Rock should stick to the turntable because his rapping skills are almost nonexistent. He does get help from a few lesser known artists, but ifs not enough to lift this CD up to a higher level. His mixing ability is above a lot of what I have heard. DJ Kizzy Rock hails from Atlanta and is one of the new bass artists | providing his won sound to artists such I as, Too Short, Naughty by Nature and |k De La Soul. Maybe on his next release, DJ Kizzy Rock will have better lyrics that respect women, and he might also be able to tiisrr j cross over to mainstream radio. For now, this CD is not worth not spending money on unless you are a die n his hard fan of DJ Kizzy Rock or you can p the silence all of the lyrics and listen only s not to the music. n WK'/ MOVIf/... are $2 and begin at the Russell House Cheater. pt S UE FILM H LI fc# n WEDHEJDAy r m flHJJJEL HiIiihibHHQ