Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Eiionl Tie Gameeeck Weekend & Entertainment Seetlen [ Friday, Augu«t 13,1999 The Gamecock Page 7B I • The best CDs of summer aren’t oh the radio Sound ±nft Advice •it of four stirs By Kevin Langston Gamecock Critic _ In a summer where “Star Wars: AS Episode One’ was supposed to capture the money and minds of many people, a low-budget independent fdm about three students and a witch has broken Hollywood records. Following suit are several outstanding albums that you might not know about because of their lack of commercial radio appeal. Nevertheless, these albums are per haps the best of the summer, and arguably the year. Though you don’t see these bands on MTV, and you don’t hear them on 93.5, these albums are some of the best to come from the depths of indie rock in a long time. Do yourself a favor and listen up. Hie Flaming Lips “Hie Soft Bulletin” • lit if four stirs ★★★★ Although this band is signed to Warner Bros., they aren't in the pub lic limelight and still hold a cult-like status among indie rock fans. Most of you might remember this pop band from their silly, fluke hit, “She Don’t Use Jelly.” If that song leaves a bad taste in your mouth, don’t worry. “The Soft Bulletin” is much more mature and accomplished than previous albums. This record plays more like a symphony than a circus. It’s filled with beautiful orchestral arrangements that are meshed together with hi-fi pop and the incred ible talents of the Lips. This album is a pop masterpiece. Tracks like “Race for the Prize,” “The Spark That Bled,” “Buggin” and “Waitin’ for a Superman” are guaranteed to play over and over in your head. This album is addictive. All good bands evolve, and this album is a perfect illustration of how far the Lips have come in five years. It was tough for this indie band to stand up to alternative acts like Nirvana and Soundgarden in the early *908, so they didn’t try. They just kept with the sound they liked, and, along the way, they gathered a loyal fan base. Now, after time has seen the end of Nirvana and Soundgarden, The Lips have released an album that is far better than any earlier efforts. Many aspiring bands should study this album. Critics are comparing it to The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” and rightfully so. This album operates on so many lev els, and you wouldn’t recognize it as The Flaming Lips without the unmis takable voice of singer Wayne Coyne. “The Soft Bulletin” is the sum mer’s best release, and I think it can stand up to the rest of the year’s releases and secure a spot as one of the year’s greatest achievements. Pavement “Terror Twilight” tot «f fur sun ★★★VI After surviving rumors of a breakup, and after watching the tapes to be used for an upcoming live album get destroyed in an automobile accident, Pavement has kept their composure and, in tum, has released a brilliant album. This band is per haps the most important and consis tent indie rock band of the decade, and this album is by no means a departure from their genius. “Terror Twilight” picks up where the mellowness of their previous album, “Brighten the Comers,” left off. It’s a little more polished and laid back than some of their more famous albums (“Crooked Rain,” “Slanted and Enchanted,” “Wowee Zowee”), but it’s still full of rich guitars and playful lyrics. Producer Nigel Godrich (of Radiohead’s “OK Computer” fame) is perhaps the best man in music to help Pavement convey their matured message of indie rock. This is the first time Pavement has ever been record ed with a 24-track device, and although this album isn't as hi-fi as “OK Computer,” Godrich has helped clean up the once ragged sound of these indie pioneers. This is their most well constructed album, and it has some critics comparing it to The Beatles’ “Abbey Road,” and The Velvet Underground’s “Loaded.” Those are high marks, indeed. Their single and opening track “Spit On a Stranger” does a mar velous job of introducing the album’s tone and pace. “Folk Jam” is a call to older Pavement-style lyrics, but with a new, rarely touched country edge that is reminiscent of “Crooked Rain’s” “Range Life.” Other songs worthy of your attention are “Major Leagues,” “You Are the Light” and “Carrot Rope.” lit •(fair stars ★★★★ Tom Waits “Mule Variations” Thank God for Tom Waits! One of the most gifted songwriters of this century took his act to Epitaph Records and has given us his most brilliant album since “Closing Time.” Though you won’t hear songs that will inspire the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Rod Stewart on this album, you will hear some of the most original and folk-driven music of Waits’ distinguished career. This album can capture the hearts of indie rock fans and folk fans alike. Waits meshes blues, folk, rock and punk in his first studio album in six years. It was worth the wait. Waits finally found room for experimenta tion at Epitaph, and because of the freedom they gave him, Waits has produced an album that has become one of the year’s standards. This album enjoyed a top spot in the College Chart’s top 10, and it’s rapid ly being accepted as Waits’ best effort in more than a decade. This album also is introducing people to a man who has been in the music industry for more than 20 years. Waits already has reached God-like status among artists who know anything about good music, and this album should secure that status for years to come. . Waits is perhaps the most gifted songwriter since Bob Dylan (the Dylan vs. Waits debate will go on for ever), and this album is no disap pointment. He touches nerves with fans of blues and folk with his guitar chords, and he serves up a full album of incomparable lyrics, true to form, and true to Waits’ style. Waits is an incredible asset to music, and it would be a crime to ignore his talent and gift. Album highlights are “Hold On,” “Big In Japan,” “Low Side of the All phoios courtesy: lmp://www.CDNow.cpra Road,” “Get Behind the Mule,” “Cold Water,” “House Where Nobody Lives” and “Chocolate Jesus.” If there’s one ' album that should become the corner stone of your 1999 collection, it is “Mule Variations.” The Beta Band lit •( fair sun ★★★ “The Beta Band” The highly anticipated full-length album from this Scottish band finally has arrived. This band is probably the least-known band to grace this list of the summer’s best, but I assure you The Beta Band is one of the hottest indie bands in Europe right now. Their highly acclaimed collection of previous EPs (“The Three EPs") won the hearts of many indie rock fans earlier this year (at one point, it was R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck’s favorite album), and this effort should secure their fan base, if not add to it. This band meshes folk with turntables, electronica, disco, hip-hop and rock as if it was being done long before their arrival. I can't exactly give them a genre, but, put simply, BEST CDS continued on page 8B ' Dealing with a disability? We can help. •ony, your roommata lo boyond holp... College life is tough: College life with a disability is even toughen That's why CSC offers help to students with disabilities through the Office of Disabil ity Services, We know \ that sometimes all it takes is a little more time on an e*am so you can finish, or a note-taker to help i i you have more complete 1 class notes- Whatever your specific need we’re here to 'm give you the support you deserve with the confidentiality you want, Then you’ll have more time to deal with that roommate-if you have a disability, find out more about our services by calling m-m-mi.. 4#^A$b$fe D**abmties dont « cl is criminate. » wmt.tt.nwmj Why should you? 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