University of South Carolina Libraries
I . Thp fipm JL XX VAX L I Bush ov( sophomo JOHN LYONS Features Editor When a young band's debut album does phenomenally well, all eyes are on them when they release a second album. And mo6t of those eyes are looking closely and anticipating failure. So with tremendous pressure placed upon them and with the almost certain prospect of close scrutiny by critics, U.K. grunge i rockers Bush have taken on one of the most tremendous tasks musicians r i.i l rc l ever lace; uie aopiiomure eiiun.. "Razorblade Suitcase" is the band's follow up to their debut, "Sixteen Stone," which sold about seven million copies and left fans with very high expectations. The album, which soars far above the expectations of critics, establishes what seems to be the band's wellearned place in the Nirvana and Pixies chain of punk and grunge, and it highlights their distance from the Pearl Jam school of grunge. The songs on "Razorblade Suitcase" are not as catchy as "Everything Zen," "Comedown," "Glycerine" or any of the commercial hits from "Sixteen Stone," but what they lack in catchiness, they make up for in intensity and sincerity. It is the band's sincerity that has been questioned during most of their time in the spotlight, and despite its commercial success, "Sixteen Stone" was berated by critics who accused Bush of being nothing more than an imitation Nirvana. The group's decision to recruit i Bjork's latesi inuv i vnive ? JVflll * AJAVrilU 1' CdlUl C3 UUilUI Since the release of her first solo album "Debut," Iceland's pop visionary Bjork has become something of a cult figure. She could be considered the Tori Amos of electronic music or the Ani f Difranco of ambient dance. Like these other semi-famous female artists, Bjork has received limited commercial airplay but has still garnered enormous respect and devotion from her fans. Bjork has earned this respect largely because of the explorative nature of "Debut" and "Post," her second album Both of these albums genre-hopped and broke down many CAROLII t i ts or by phon J uenla \duvcnn itions @ 777-7130 .ecock re1 ercomes re blues Steve Albini to produce their second album only heightened comparisons to Nirvana, but the quality of "Razorblade Suite ase"proves that the decision was a .wise one. The album relies on the same mixture of punk and grunge that made Nirvana so successful, but it also borrows quite a few tricks from the Posies and other Nirvana predecessors. "Razorblade Suitcase" trades in the instant catchiness of "Sixteen Stone" for a harsher, grittier sound, but after a few listens it is clear the album still has the underlying pop sensibility that defined the band's first album. Albini mav have been the nerfect choice for the band's sophomore effort, not only because of his great track record, but also because his presence on the album directly confronts the shadow of Kurt Cobain that has hung over the band's head. The lyrics on the album flow from despondency and despair to rage and fear, and Gavin Rossdale sings with such intensity that it is difficult to doubt his sincerity. Rossdale is backed by the drivings rhythm of Robin Goodridge on drums and Dave Parsons on bass, but while these two provide the album with its steady pace, "Razorblade Suitcase" owes the most to the loose, screaming guitarwork of Nigel Pulsford. Pulsford creates the angry, intense mood of the 13 songs on the album, and his guitarwork flows from screeching anger to wailing sorrow. It is his exquisite guitarwork which t release 4Tel assumptions about a pop album. Her third album, "Telegram," which is a collection of remixes, is even more expansive than the first two, and it explores how genre divisions can be reworked through individual songs. "Telegram" features one new song and remixes 10 others, nine of which are from "Post." The album is incredibly expansive in its emotional range, and it has a musical depth that is extraordinary. The music jumps from jungle beats and drum and bass grooves and on to classical string arrangements. From R&B to jazz to pop, there is not a genre Bjork and her star NA COLI e at 251-22 :e) $15 (day of! ? Fnr yiews the iBBB WKmLr Bush, featuring Nigel Pulsford, and Dave Parsons. net effectively helps the band rise above previous critirisms. Regardless of how many albums they may sell, this four man U.K. grunge band rose above all expectations with this "Razorblade Suitcase" and lived up to the challenge of the sophomore effort. They may not sell another seven million records and there will probably be continued accusations from some critics, but Bush has asserted the egram' filled studded lineup of remixers are afraid to confront. The album opens slowly, almost timidly, with "Possibly Maybe." The song is remixed by Marie Bell of LFO, and from the start, his soft, carefully arranged version of the song confronts misconceptions about the purpose of a remix. From that point on, the album flows gracefully from genre to genre, emotion to emotion. From the heartbreaking to the danceable, and from classical to techno, "Telegram" covers a spectrum that most artists would never even consider. "It's important for me when I do a record that it has a lot of different ISEUM f gggpf !22> #1 ?how) ?I The M i latest r Ittttifc. I, --'<: && mm,spy SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK Robin Goodridge, Gavin Rossdale power of their music and begun to step out of the Cobain's very long shadow. They've suffered the comparisons for almost two years, and some of the pain and anger on the album seems to be rooted in this. Maybe this is what Rossdale has in mind on "Communicator" when repeatedly sings, "Somewhere sometime/all things will be fine/and it never seems enough." i * j 1 j # i witn emotio] emotional angles," Bjork said about the album. "Because that's what people are like. I don't understand pop albums where everything is cool for the whole album, or everything is sexy for the whole album. Thank God that humans are a bit more complex than that." On "Telegram" Bjork relies on some very talented help to achieve the emotional angles and complexity she desires. The Brodsky Quartet and Deodato give the album a mild traditional feel on "Hyperballad" and "You've Been Flirting Again," while Dobie gives the album an R&B element on "I Miss You." International Job Skills New professional MA. in International Affairs or Interamerican Studies prepares you rapidly for exciting careers: environmental studies public health government international organizations international media, business Learn valuable analytic skills from economics and the social sciences. Complete this intensive multi-disciplinary degree in 12 to 15 months, while living in a fascinating international city. Free details: Contact our Admissions Secretary. Graduate School of International Studies Coral'Gables, FL 33124-3010 305-284-4173; Fax: 305-284-4406 http://www.umiami.edu/gsLs/ "M ^UNIVERSITY OF Mjami assei nusical r i r Snoop Do creates less ROBERT KNIGHT Staff Writer a Snoop Doggy Dogg marks his return to the worldof rap with the dropofhis ___________ newest album, IBF7W " T h a ||P| Doggfather." This album [ I [I [I i I jKljj is Snoop's second release i from the newly ^ renamed, The I New and Untouchable | Death Row I Records. Snoop I returns to the rap arena without the production help of Dr. Dre, and he shows that he can and will continue to hold on his own. Snoop does not perform completely on his own though. Warren G., Nate Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound and Charlie Wilson are all featured on "Groupie." And Teena Marie lends help with vocals beside Vapors and Too Short on the track "You Thought." "Tha Doggfather" incorporates various samples, many of which come from old Gap Band songs, and Snoop's cool Southern accent and very smooth flow makes up for the lack of original beats. The first single off the album, "Snoop's Upside Your Head," sends the message out loud and clear that Snoop can and will take on all challengers. a, genre-swit( The album pulls together an incredible array of talent, and with help from Howie B., Outcast, Dillipja, Sanko and Graham Massey, Bjork explores the musical genres and their divisions as the album flows from rlnnro tn nnn tn Hrnm nnrt Kqoo fa ambient, and most notably, to jazz. Although the album is a collection of remixes, the songs are reworked so thoroughly that it becomes a completely new entity. "To me, the word remix is so underestimated," Bjork said. "Probably because until now it's been a record company's way to try to make a song more radio friendly or more successful commercially. A lot of the remixers UTS c 4MTI mm ^?p I '-2*^1 ? Come to the Grand Open The Healthiest Store i General Nutrition Centers is the largest our customers for more than 60 years, i New GNC store near you. Quality pro prices with incredible customer servi WESTSIDE PLAZA 2331 AUGUSTA ROAD BETWEEN WAL-MART & BI-LO Visit our other locatoin at COLUMBIANA CENTER IN HARBISON-IRM 781-7686 diiv Ann i ! $0 urr ; I ANY PURCHASE OF $25 OR MORE. ! | Only Valid at Westside Plaza GNC ' I Location. Not valid with other discounts. Good thru 3/31/97 k eleases ggy D?gg vulgar rap Snoop confronts accusations that he would go soft after Dr. Dre left his production team on "Freestyle Conversation." He also tries to lay to rest the East I coast versus West coast controversy in the song by declaring that he is in the business to make money with whomever he can. " S i x x Minutes" is the most laid-back track on "Tha Doggfather, but it is also the most opinionated. It features Snoop rapping about rappers and DJs who use samples and beats without giving credit to the originators. In the song he also takes a swipe at imitation rappers who are really just commercial hype. Snoop declares that gangsta rap is not dead at the beginning of "Tha Doggfather," but a close listen finds his rhymes more groomed and less offensive than in the past. The polished sound isn't really a surprise though. After all, radio play is required if an artist wants to sell millions of records. And so "Tha Doggfather" crives listeners a slicrht.lv kinder o* * ? o j ' gentler Snoop. Some may like it, some may not, but I consider it to be a good' album. 'hing music have been incredibly creative over the years. I'm talking about the pure idea of a remix and what a remix can be. 'It's so nice when somebody with a completely different musical style than you remixes your song. There's a certain honesty in that, because you write a song, and you write it perfect like the way you want it to be. And then somehow you become material on somebody's mixing desk." The ten remixes on "Telegram" capitalize on the potential that Bjork sees in a remix and illustrate her extraordinary talent and the talent of those she brought together to design the album. RAND! I TTfmFTYTPraHHH 1141 Ml'H ssczr JT "CtiftOM C?NT*? i l *f ling of the Newest GNC. in the Neighborhood. health food chain in the world, serving Vnd to serve you better, we've opened a ducts, unbearable selection and great ce. That's dedication. That's GNC. CENEItAL NUmmON CENTERS [0 T $10 OFF; | ANYPURCHASE OF $50 OR MORE.1 | Only Valid at Westside Plaza GNC Location. Not valid with other discounts. Good thru 3/31/97 | II