The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, November 04, 1996, Page 5, Image 5
*
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
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iter NO1
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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<
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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
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I the cuts"(Money Can't)
and "Don't Leave Me" she
is one of R&B's most co
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Babyface, DAngelo and ]
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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.
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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
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inmhnr A IDAfi
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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
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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
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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
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