entertainment Crowded House by David Friend Collegian Staff Writer Rating- 0000 One of the hardest things to do in Top 40 is to keep your music from becoming formulaic. People showing promise in the past, such as Madonna, have degenerated into variations on the same musical theme. But Crowded House, with their second release, avoid the formulaic death and present an album as fresh and enjoyable as their first release. Form "Sister Madly," with its brushed drums, and "Better Be Home Soon," with its country-western tinge, every song as a slightly different twist. This is extremely difficult to do in pop, and the hallmark of a musical ingenuity only paralleled in recent memory by Paul and John. You know, the Beatles. Crowded House's image is much like that of the early Beatles. They have a quirky, fun attitude toward life, as though life is worth living, despite all the hardships. In "Love This Life," appropriately enough, the address that, saying "...love this -life / don't wait till the next one comes / gonna pedal my faith / the wheels arc still turning round, turn round.” And humor colors the lyrics incessantly. They say that they would "...much rather have a trampoline in my front room / than an isolation tank," in "Mansion in the Slums”, and complain when "Sister Madly" keeps on "...systematically stepping on my head." But the lyrics are not the only highpoints on this album. Musically, it is flawlessly, seamlessly constructed pop. The two exceptions, though, arc so seductively produced that anyone could be lulled into their context. "Into Temptation" furthers its theme of adultery with the drums being gently brushed. "Kill Eye" is interesting in explaining the schizophrenia of its protagonist, the' drums are in one channel and a hard, biting guitar in the other. (Stereo is needed for this effect, folks.) The four stars the album receives arc mainly for the fact that this band is starting to realize its potential. Last year, their debut album churned out the Top 10 hits "Don't Dream It's Over” and "Something So Strong". Critically acclaimed when released, it took the listening public approximately six months before they finally caught on. I hope that this album does not take as long to reach platinum. The well executed, well written, well produced, and well recorded product that Crowded House has given us for the past two albums is difficult to find. And who knows... they may challenge the Beatles. But that's jumping the gun a bit, huh? PERSONALS Headthief - We’re glad that you're O.K. , but we are hiding our keys ! Warning to all bicycle riders: Watch out for those people that meet in the middle of the road to talk at 3 A.M. - they may try to start a fight. Kim - take a lude. Svelte 19 year old male, Poly. Sci. major, sophomore, seeks energetic, intelligent, attractive female for discussions on personal topics. Reply to Collegian office between 4 and 5 P.M. Wednesdays. Derf - Thanks for winning the America’s Cup for us. Love, Venus 800 800 - Get any lately? Your concerned roomies Hobag - We hear you're going by the book but we love you anyway! From 706 Jen - Get your tooth fixed. BAA - We love you. -The Girls Sharon - It's a good thing he’s gay. They're better that way. - Us Get your dumb head out of the grass - you're beyond gay- Randy - Have a good weekend and try to remember falling asleep. Love, Me Turk - I'm still waiting for my case ! From your ex - chemistry partner ( soon to be ex - friend ) Mark - How did you like your BJ at Macaw's Friday? I'll have to handcuff you next time. Love, Kimmy Sue Nan - I miss you, but I know we did the right thing for now. The personals are back ! Anyone interested in having a message published in the Collegian should drop it in the Collegian office (in the Reed building near the RUB desk) . Prices are quite affordable - only one dollar for three lines ! Let someone know that you care, or remind your roommate of a time he’d rather forget ! CONCERT CONNECTION Sept. 14 - Elton John - Blossom Music Center Sept. 16 - Debbie Gibson - A.J. Polumbo Cente: Sept. 17 - Santana - Blossom Music Center Sept. 18 - Tiffany - Blossom Music Center Sept. 29 - Taylor Dayne - Graffiti Oct. 10 & 11 - Michael Jackson - Blossom The art of Patricia White is being exhibited at the Cummings Gallery, Hammermili Library at Mercyhurst College from September 11th through October 3rd, 1988. Questions ? Call (814) 825 - 0200 Sugarcubes by A. Thomas Maraaux Collegian Staff Writer Rating- ®oo€ The Sugarcubes have been deemed (or doomed) by many music critics as 'the next Big Thing'. The quintet is imported from Iceland (for those who arc not up on geography it is about 1000 miles north of Dublin, Ireland). Since they are so far removed from civilization as we know it, it is amazing that anything comes out or goes into Iceland. The Iceland music scene has really only been around since 1981. It seems as if the 'Cubes major influences were Seventies groups like Blondic and the B-52’s, however they don't imitate anyone. Einan and Bjork both front the cubes. (In case you couldn’t figure it our, Einan is a man and Bjork is a woman.) Einan's voice is sinister, evil, and mature while Bjorks voice is angelic, heavenly and childlike. Her voice is incredible when varying in range and pitch. An example is 'Birthday'. This song is currently making it onto college playlist. Bjork sings of a demented girl with only one friend; a male adult. Bjork wails "she's painting huge spoons / glues them together / they so degrade them / it glided down the sky / she touched it /." 'Birthday' also gets played on MTV. The Sugarcubes arc not a one-hit wonder cither. 'Motorcrash', 'Delicious Demons', and 'Mama' arc all geared toward college airplay. The 'cubes arc not aiming for commercial success. Instead they want just to express themselves. 'Mama' is a ballad about a girl who takes all she can from her mother and then abandons her mother. "Oh dear me / I think my mother / in sewn rags and handbag / Oh tell me / is it my mother? / I cannot tell / I - canot sec / Oh Lord have mercy on me! /." Not all of the album is for airplay. Songs like 'Sick for Toys' and ’F_ _ _ ing in Rythm and Sorrow' can’t appeal to the masses. That's all right because the Sugarcubes do not want to be famous, they just want to have fun. They do not want to be like U 2; who cannot go where they please. They want to express themselves musically and not get martyrd doing it. BATTLE OF THE BANDS SATURDAY SEPTEBER 24, 1988 PENN STATE - BEHREND $5O entrance fee per band Send Check, demo tape, and name Student Penn State- WINNING BAND RECEIVES MWIEIR OW ELITES Sponsored by Student Programming Council for more information, call: (814)898-6221 12 NOON of contact person to: Programming Council, $500.00 Feature Band: SEX*BEER*SEX*BEER*SEX f>/ { Thank you. Now that we have your attention: rjJ When was the last time you could afford to see a movie? Chances are when somebody else paid! Now prl you have the opportunity to win two free movie Ph tickets from the Millcreek Mall Cinemas in each LC* •Jf Collegian issue. We will print a movie related trivia hH question in each Entertainment section. Simply write & f-y-j the answer, your name and phone number down and CyT drop it in the box in the Collegian office. Every two q-J weeks, ten lucky people will win twc tickets each!! THIS WEEK: T, 2 ft] What Beatles movie featured the Blue Meanies? fTI Ph pyi The Collegian office is located between the double [~Tj puT doors next to the RUB desk in the Reed Buildir g. Qj PP Good luck! ££ ' a sex*beer*sex*beer*ss 42 Female sheep 44 Long, slender fish ACROSS 1 Stroke 4 English 45 Bow streetcar 47 In addition 8 Nod 49 School of 11 Group of three whales 12 Comfort 51 Foreman 13 A Gershwin 54 Couple 14 Babylonian 56 Fall behind deity 58 Tibetan 15 Deep yearning gazelle 17 Alloy of tin and 59 Slumbers ■ copper 62 At present 19 Consumed 64 Roman 51 21 Male turkey 65 Golf mound 23 Speck 66 Vast ages 24 Jump 68 Call 26 Free of 70 Sweet potato 71 Hint 72 Ancient 28 Tidings 31 Tear 33 Negative 35 Female ruff 36 As far as 38 Army officer 41 Symbol for tantalum 1 Talk idlv 5 Sun 9 ° d 2 Three-toed ® iper sloth 7 Reward 3 Plaything COLLEGE PRESS SERVICE Answers Page 12 6:00 PM Behrend Erie, PA 16563 Collegian Weekly Crossword Puzzle 9 Native metal 10 Armed conflict 11 River duck 16 Latin 4 Choir voice conjunction 18 Emerged victorious 20 Organ of hearing 22 Neither animal or vegetable 25 Hog 27 Click beetle 29 Damp -30 Ocean 32 Wooden pin 34 Sunburn 36 Afternoon part' 37 Night bird 39 Scold 40 Tennis stroke 43 Hold in high regard 46 Canine 48 Be in debt 50’ Parsonage 52 Not hollow 53 Go by water 55 Oil consortium: init. 57 Proceed 59 Pigpen 60 Meadow 61 The sun 63 Pronoun 67 Greek letter 69 Indian mulberry Page 9
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers