Los angelescollegian 6Friday, May 16, 1980 Sit down, Sharona ... Knack LP gives new meaning to the word tasteless By Kitty O'Steen album, this new Capitol release is customers, She don'tlook so badm cohorts doing the hurting, you'll City News Editor not as musically sound as its the dark." either want to kick him m his "Doug Fieger Is right. Us little predecessor. "Can't Put A Price On Love," notorious smirk (Doeshe sleep with girls do understand, all too well. If But, like "Get The Knack," the features Fieger crooning the tender it on?) or run for a toilet. those Knack boys had It m their group'ssecond offering purportsan words,"When pushcomes to shove, Personally, I haven't wanted to pants, they wouldn't have to keep underlying, two-fold central mes- ooh, baby, you gave me enough. puke so badsince drinkingbeer my shootingit out their mouths..." sage. And I'll pay when the price is right, well-intentioned friends had put un- Diane Hawkey If you're a guy, it says: It's okay but you can't put a price on love." shelled peanuts m. In a letter to "RollingStone" (and, m fact, even encouraged) to His voice is so insincere on the Let'sface it. Theseare the type of promise a girl anything for an easy final eight words thatyou canalmost guys who'd ask, "Was it good for If you're a woman, The Knack is a lay. hear him fumbling for change. you, too?" not really caring, just so composite of all the men your And, if you're a girl,it says: If you But, my vote for "MOC" has to go long as they'd gotten off. mother ever warned you about. don'tcome across with the goods to to Kinks Ray Davies' song, "The Lyrics suck You know the kind. satisfynormal, manlydesires, you're Hard Way," which, by taking the Okay, so the lyrics suck.But what Your older brother's can't-keep- either a tease or a bitch— or worse. tough guy approach ("I'm tired of about the music? Isn't it catchy his-hands-to-himselffriend. Knack knowslittle being patient/I'vegot to be cruel to enough to allow one to overlook the The lecherous park flasher. On ".. . but the little girls under- be kind"), is either condoning or words accompanying it? Or, horror of horrors, the all-time stand," The Knack would have its suggesting rapeasan alternativefor While it is true that Knack music dreaded sinister evil man who pulls tends to make you start the tapping up along side you m his car and of a foot, it is, for the most part, so asks, "Want some candy, littlegirl?" highly-derivative as to offend most Creeps undetectable musical sensibilities. Only, exasperatingly enough, Lack of originalityis a".. . butthe Warren Zevon your mother would never detect little girls understand" trademark. these creeps— so clever are they at The group may call its Buddy Holly. disguising their 24-hour-a-day, all- Lettermen,Beatles imitationspaying compelling, all-consuming desire spin homage.I call It robbery. offs Zevon paydirt for a quick screw behind innocent "Baby Talks Dirty" isnothing buta hits boyish faces and seemingly highly-vulnerable,primarily pubes- the guy whose girl isn't willing to slightly inferior "My Sharona" clone. harmless, catchy pop tunes. cent audience believe that making "pick the easy way" (ie. go tc bed And there's no defense imaginable No one seems to know how old love (something,which they seemto with him). for The Knack's theft of the central with 'BadLuck' the four Knack members— Doug know very little about) consists of Knack ego-maniacs guitar figure m The Rolling Stones Perhapsthe striking work Fieger,BertonAverre, PrescottNiles tumbling from out of one bed into The Knack lyrics are also "Beast Of Burden," which the group By Valeric Hood most and Bruce Gary— are, but they're another— hopefully, withoutany str- representative of greedy, posses- renamed "Can't Put A Price On Executive Editor on thealbumis "Jeannie Needs a Shooter," written by Zevon and certainly not still m their teens, and ings attached. sive ego-maniacs. Never do these Love." The first thing you Springsteen. are, m fact, probably way past that. The Knack has always been guysask whatthey might dofor you. Song Illegitimate to strike Bruce cited aboutthe musicof Warren Zevon Here, Zevon's keen of So, except for plea of terminal for misogynist (Somebody'd better They're too busy demanding This is one illegitimate bastard sense a reas- the lyrics his songs. Springs- licentiousness, there's no excuse for hand Dougieadictionary) lyrics, but of your love ("I Want Ya" Mick shouldn'tbeforced to support. are to the macabe melds with surances They intelligent, ironical, teen's "Born to Run" principles. the non-stop "Gotta get it up, don't this time out, thanks to songwriters "Hold On Tight And Don't Let Go" Besides perpetratingstupid lyrics are witty, poetical.The previous tells all: you want it?" type of lyrics these Fieger and Averre,the foursomehas "It's You"), plea-bargaining ("Tell and unoriginal music, The Knack, even The final verse it hit, "Werewolves of London", night was cold and rainy degeneratesproduceand then com- outdone itself. Me You're Mine") and reeling with despiteitsbesteffortto look likeThe The brought him into the limelight by memorate to vinyl. Thus, the "Most Offending Cut" conceited amazement when re- Beatles through dress, music and down the borderline with such lyrical qualities. riding hard to meet her Jerk-off fare found (MOC) categoryon this LP isas jam- jected ("The Feeling I Get" "How packaging, is as exciting on Iwas about Isaw a werewolfdrinkinga Plna shot rang out behind Yet, thisis exactlythekindof jerk- med with as many potential winners Can Love Hurt So Much"). stage as four wind-up dolls. At the whena at As Ilay there In the darkness off fare one can expect to find on as this year's Academy Awards The latter tune is a bitter, ironic group's March 30 Forum ap- Colada Trader's Vie's pistolby my side ". but the littlegirls understand," "Best Actor"race. twist placed at the end of Side 2. pearance, even the most zealous with a .. And his hair was perfect. her father rode The Knack's latest delve into latent a pimp When you hear the insidious Fieger Knack fan could find very little to Jeannie and oft Narrator It's difficult to imagine night. lust. "Mr. Handleman," a catchy wimpoidly whining, "How love cheer about. a Zevon Into the can album that isn't full of his witty is helped Coming on the heels of "Get The calypso, is narrated by a guy pimp- hurt after the 11previous ". . but the little girls under- Zevon out on so much?" . observations of life, and his by pals Knack," last year's popular debut ing for his wife.He tells prospective songs m which it was him and his stand," as well as singles from the "Streak" Jackson latest, m Browne, Henley, LP, have failed to secure a strong "BadLuck Streak Danc- Eagles Don Don ing disappointment. nicheon thecharts.This isa hopeful School" is no Felder and Glenn Frey, Linda songs abound Rondstat and Waddy Watchel, unspoken a command of "Full of good rock music. sign, because the nefarious Knack, Thematic showcases The songs thematic and speed ahead." The lyrics, although basically like any sexualpervert, shouldn'tbe are among others. powerful. "Jungle Work," a harsh The weakestcut on the album Group seems down unprofound, aie intelligent and encouraged. Petty LP On "Here Comes My Girl," a look at mercenary soldiers and surprisingly, is thesingle,"A Cer- the music, characterizedby duel- I just hope that the next time "Gorilla, You're A Desparado," Girl," written by N. Neville. tender rock ballad, Petty and ing guitar riffs, is musically Sharona sits on Fieger's face, she a tain as comical look at the jet-set Song henchmen— Campbell, Benmont sound a Beatles medley. has the good sense to stay put. seems trite as lifestyle, typical of the Zevon out-of-place Tench, Stan Lynch and Ron Petty's powerful vocals, which are It seems trite and a approach to music. on an album of heavies. "Girl" is rockin' Blair— appearto bedown and out unfortunately too are sometimes In "Gorilla"Zevon sings, "Then goes ("It just seems so useless to have garbled for comprehension the kind of tune that m one ape grew very depres- right to work so hard and nothing ever (Tom. take the rocks out,of yqur the ear and out the other really seems to come from it"). mouth), supported well from sed/Went through Transactional without leaving any impression. shout of are Analysis/He plays raquetball cute, But, moments later the group musicianship standpoint. m It's but it is atypical of a shackled a quicklychanges gearswith "Even Lending their aid are: Petty on the rain/Still he's to Zevon. platinum chain." Perhaps as The Losers," a song featuring 12 and six-string guitars and the he included it a "Streak" dried-out, record-buyers victory Petty and The Heartbreakers harmonica, Tench on the piano gives us a hook to lure to the emotionally Zevon. It also maybe just basic hang-in-there attitude ('- andharmonium, Lynch on drums secure cash register or he felt gives songwriter who can -'Even the losers/Keep a little bit and Campbell on six and 12- us a silly. blend classical string arrange- reasons, It was a no-win situation. of pride/They get lucky -string guitars and the slide. Whatever his "Girl" is with throbbing rock riffs to In 1978, entangled m lawsuits sometime"). Side 1of "Torpedos!" is easily ments the single flaw on an otherwise hassles, produce a unique and over contract Tom Petty This sense of eventuallyover- the best. With one rocker follow- excellenttour-de-forcebyZevon. appeared pleasurablesound. And, to you and The Heartbreakers coming the odds, no matter how ing on the heels of the before as if let know that one On "Play All Night Long" this to be washed-up even before adverse they might be, is the it, Petty and company take you It his state of sobriety and marital at song him, they could set sail. Petty,himself, most vital part of "Torpedos!" through a maze of love ("Here blend is its best. The is bliss haven't changed he country life ("There ain't unique was on the verge of bankruptcy. and probably the reason why this Comes My Girl"), love gone about leaves his calling card. to country But, somehow, whether LP has fared better than the astray ("Even The Losers") and much this On the back coverof thealbum or, likely, living/Sweat, piss, jizz and pair delicate, pink through luck more group's previoustwo, "Tom Petty Utopia ("Century City"). there are a of blood") spiced with sheer fortitude, the group stayed and The Heartbreakers" and Side 2 less exciting liberally ballet shoes on a wooden dance Petty references to Lynryd Skynryd (" together and came out m "You're Gonna Get It." Side 2 doesn't offer quite the floor. Sweet Alabama/Play that the black. Words relatable excitement of its predecessor, Home And m the middleof the shoes Result victorious Almost anybody can relate to but "What Are You Doin' In My dead band's song"). is a loaded automatic gun. The victoriousresult— a settle- the words of "Refugee"— even if Life?" is a worthy descendant of ment withMCA's Backstreetlabel they've never gone through con- Side I's best cut, "Shadow Of A for a reported$3 million— can be tract litigations. Doubt (A Complex Kid." heard on Tom Petty and The "Who knows,maybe you were Both are highly-invigorating Heartbreakers third album, kidnapped, tled-up, taken away tunes, although the former has a 'Get happy?' No way! "Damn The Torpedos!" and held for ransom, rather bitter observationto make This LP, containingsongs writ- Honey, It don't really matter to ("What are ya doin' m my life/I You unwrap the cellophane Movie," "downtime is Over," "sive One song, "High Fidelity," comes ten by Petty and guitarist Mike me, didn't ask for you"). around the jacket, rip the albumout, Gears m Reverse." close to the Elvis of old. But, Campbell during the band's Baby, everybody'shadto tight to But that's the way itis withPet- dash overto your turntableand turn Soundslike pretty hot stuff, right? perhaps that's because it sounds so darker days, is a chronicle of the be tree, ty and The Heartbreakers. The it on. Wrong! We are fedcliche-filleddrib- much like "Senior Service" from his disappointment, discouragement Said, 'You'don't" have to livelike band isn't afraid to say what Suddenly, the room is filled with ble like, "I'm going to step on the attractive "Armed Forces" Ip. and disillusionment the five- a refugee. needs to be said. music. Elvis Costello music to be brake to get out of her clutches." MaybeCostello is tryingto chart a member group suffered. Although, this "Torpedos!" And, as far as Petty fans are more precise. Okay for others, but Costello has new course for music with "Happy." Yet, although the hurt is there, Or, maybe just gotten lazy; you-and-me-against-the-world concerned, "Damn The Quickly you realize that the title, demonstrated a talent for insightful, he's is the triumph, evidenced lyrics. resting the laurels of past so as themegetsa little too repetitiveat Torpedos!" is only a sell-out at "Get Happy," is incredibly mis- original and clever on by the album's optimistically band, triumphs. times, when it gets right down to the music store. leading. Get happy? Even his back-up the At- take-charge title, which leaves it, this album of the finest tractions, sounds out of placeon this Whatever the case, those who is one —Kitty O'Steen way. Get angry get depres- No or sorry for a musical purchase "GetHappy," won't. maybe, happiness not excuse sed but does recording. —Valeric Hood flow from this album. Firstof all,thesongs are much too short. Sure, music is getting away from complicated ni nbers like 'departs' "Stairway to Heaven" or "Freebird," Journey two-threeminutes simp- but a scant Lead vocalist Steve Perry gives ly enough whet the appetite A few yearsago,Iattendedone of isn't to all-day the album'sballadsan honest touch for those rock and roll ex- more. travaganzas that generally leave and drives the rockers withrawness jammed There are 21 tracks on wishing I'dspent my $15 fer- and defiance. Nick Lower me on "Happy." Producer tilizer for my plants. Backing his vocals are musicians that there will be no loss of claims This one was at AnaheimStadium Gregg Rolie on keyboards; Neal quality due to "groove cram- sound and headlined by As my Sehon, guitars (both of whom needle theendof was ELO. were ming"as the nears friends sat mesmerizedby the slick, once with Santana); Steve Smith on each side. flashy and almost too-perfect per- drums and bassist Ross Valory. happens those This is what on formanceof ELO, my mind was back Journeyplays specials. many songs are a brandof rock that K'Tel So with the group that had preceded melds the sophistication of ELO or put each side that distortions m on them. Queen with the ballsy sound of Van sound occur. It was a five-man band called Halen and Cheap Trick. Wonderful information for those Journey main to whose claim fame The songs on "Departure" have whose main concerns lie with such was a philosophical look at life lyrics worth hearing. They aren'tout technical nonsense. called, "The Wheel m the Sky." to impress anyone withhighdecible But, what about the rest of us who "Oh, sky keeps the wheelm the on levelsor toout-grossJohnnyRotten. expecta littlemore from an album? turnin' ." the chorus blared . . On the sensitive "Good Morning Or, to be even more precise, who through the amplifiers surrounding Girl," Perry coos, "I sing it girl from expect a little more from Costello? the stage. heart/I sing it girl from the start." Is this the same talented I was impressed by the vibrancy the songwriter who gave us sensitive and feeling the band exuded. The album sleeve has the quote: songs like "Alison" or clever ditties This first impression is not dulled "As a seed is planted so the tree like "Watching the Detectives"? by their latest Columbia release, shall grow." This man has been replacedby a "Departure." As far as I'm concerned, theseed clone who subjects us to bland The songs alternate from the was planted that warm summer songs sung m an equally bland, flat sophisticated rock of the single, night m Anaheim and has grown Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers are, from left to right, Stan Lynch, Mike Campbell.Ron Blair, voice. "Any Way You Want It" and "Line of through their preceding albums to The titles give indication of the of maturity with "Departure." Tom Petty and Benmont Tench. no Fire" to the pseudo-blues/jazz spice-free dietCostello feeds us: "B "Walks Like A Lady." —Valeric Hood