Sound Bites

Monday, November 9, 1998

Sound Bites

Alanis Morissette, "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie"
(Maverick/Reprise)

Thanks, India, for making a softer, more centered Alanis, but
what did you do to her music?

Morissette’s much anticipated second album, "Supposed Former
Infatuation Junkie," contains seventeen songs that show she’s
taking a gentler look at life after selling 16 million albums. Gone
is the grating guitar crunch that gave "Jagged Little Pill" its
edgy character. The angry grrl-powered vocals have turned into
reconciled soulfulness. Changes done, the album sounds as though
"not good" is very much capable.

"Thank U," the first single off the album, strikes with a
repetitiveness that will define this album. Her vocals, tempered
with peaceful understanding, fluctuate between emotions with a
simple strain of the vocal chords.

Morissette tries to revert back to some good old mad-as-hell
ways on "Sympathetic Character." It is a song about breaking free
from an abusive relationship, her voice and the composition of the
music moving with the ardent mentality of regret: regret for
falling in and out of such a traumatic relationship.

Guitars echo in a chaotic background in "Character," with
Morissette’s nasal wail hitting a touching high point.

But something is missing among the self-searching ponderings.
The raw emotional undercurrent that cut through "Pill" has been
dammed up into a trickling of refined passivity. An occasional
blast of pre-enlightened Alanis fury would have been nice. Sad,
since she wore anger so well.

Trinh Bui

Swell, "For All the Beautiful People" (Beggars Banquet)

Still waiting for the era of synthesized chaos to die, listeners
appear doomed to come across endless scores of bands like Swell.
Wanting to be Nine Inch Nails, these bands think that monotony and
a whole lot of static remain the key to a hit album.

Think again.

Swell’s new album, "For All The Beautiful People," uses the
concept of ambience and kills it by assuming ambient means
brain-dead. Songs such as "Make up Your Mind" not only lack
creativity but do so for an obscenely long amount of album time.
It’s one thing to be just plain boring, but don’t force listeners
to live through five minutes of it.

The opening notes of many of the songs suggest unique impulses,
though none ever last long enough. Songs such as "Something To Do"
rehash the same limpid chords over and over again underneath
monotone, flat vocals that fail to complement one another.

If you need some sleep music, by all means, buy Swell’s latest
endeavor. True fans of music, though, should steer clear of this
unfortunate knock-off.

Michelle Zubiate

NewRadicals, "Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed Too" (MCA)

Judging from the debut, Gregg Alexander loves to make people
happy. Reliving the sound of the 80’s without the gaudy glitz,
Alexander and his NewRadicals cull a collection of flashback tunes
worthy of the occasional urge to reminisce.

"Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed Too" starts off with promise.
Alexander has arranged the most joyful, sunny harmonies this side
of the Jackson 5. The song "Mother We Just Can’t Get Enough"
incorporates an infectious rhythmic beat, helping the morose lyrics
move with rejuvenated confidence.

The Radicals’ "You Get What You Give," remains in the same
category of catchy fun. Using a great piano for a bass, "Give" can
only make listeners bop to a happy-go-lucky guitar riff. And any
song that finds a way to dis Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson in
one breath is a good song.

But all good things must come to an end, and in this case, the
NewRadicals lose it after the second track. Alexander wastes his
vocal dexterity by gratingly whining the rest of the way through.
Its unbearability is very near listening to Shaggy belt out
reggae.

Alexander definitely has his heart in the right place; singing
to make people smile in a time when everyone else seems out to
bring your day down, but here’s a hint, Gregg: ease up on trying to
be the next great-white-wailer and you’ll be alright.

Trinh Bui

Various Artists, "Ska Down Her Way: Women of Ska Volume 2"
(Shanachie)

Long has the ska niche been dominated by goofy guys showing off
and messing around. If you love ska and need a soothing change of
sound, this compilation of catchy tunes with a sweeter female touch
will surely satisfy.

Although many may not have heard of these female-based bands,
they’re out there and they know how to carry a tune without getting
carried away with the spectacle. "Ska Down Her Way" provides yet
another volume of simple skankin’ melodies that one can sing along
with all day long.

Although some bands can be recognized right away, such as the
Skatalites, other unfamiliar names shouldn’t discourage listeners
from giving the album a chance. Coyabalites’ "My Boy Lollipop" and
Radiation Kings’ "Can’t Find A Way" remain just two of the picks
that drag listeners into the bubble-gum melodies to become lost in
sugary sweet poppiness reflective of the 1950s.

Other noteworthy numbers include The Skandalous All-Stars
"Sailin’ On" and NotchoMa’s "I Need Your Love."

Both songs carry enough talent in the vocals alone to sell the
works, with the moving rhythms providing a much appreciated
bonus.

The collection holds an easy-going feel and is not for those
into a more hyper dose of fun. Instead, the album gives these women
of ska their due recognition and finds melody a home.

Michelle Zubiate

Ringo Starr, "Storytellers" (VH1/Mercury)

Of all the Beatles, Ringo is the one most often written off as
just riding on the talents and success of his bandmates. Ringo and
the Fab Four goes solo in this latest album, proving that it can be
done. Besides performing some old favorites like "With a Little
Help From My Friends," Ringo’s more recent work has a fresh, new
sound, unlike anything that we’re used to hearing from the
ex-Beatle. The new tracks resemble John Fogarty or Creedence
Clearwater Revival more than anything, and one can’t help but feel
that Ringo is desperately trying to carve out a niche for himself.
It’s rather odd hearing him perform bluesy guitar riffs, but it’s
not unpleasant.

Between songs, Starr mumbles little anecdotes about back-stage
life with the Beatles. The origin story of "Octopus’s Garden" is
worth hearing if you can make out what he’s saying. The only
disappointment was that it turned out to be "Back Off Boogaloo"
rather than "Back on Trozodone."

Michael Rosen

Comments, feedback, problems?

© 1998 ASUCLA Communications Board[Home]