14 Arts Manitou Messenger March 8, 1984 off the record by J.A. Nelson boisterous and ironically op­ vey. They are ultimately op­ musical commentaries against of optimism in the song. timistic "Read About It" ac­ timistic, and they believe that we the injustices of social and This feeling of optimism is Midnight Oil's latest album, cuses the press of camouflaging are not too far gone to change political systems. Three months carried into the next song which 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1, came out in the issues and complains that the our situation. "Not much after they disbanded, Weller got starts out with uplifting guitar Australia in 1982 and was the people do not make an effort to time/But time to trv." together with Mick Talbot and strumming and a voice that biggest seller of 1983 in find the truth: "Nothing ever The Style Council projects a formed the Style Council; their seems to brim with joy. Australia. The group was form­ happens/Nothing really mat­ message in their new album that first single, "Speak Like a "Headstart for Happiness" ex­ ed in 1978 by Peter Garret, who ters/No one ever tells me, so is similar to that which 1 found Child," came out about a year emplifies the beliefs of the is a product of the protest and what am I to know?" There is in 10,9...I: We must begin to ago. In the Style Council, group: We have been given a unrest of the 1960s. Midnight also the desperate pleading of a take responsibility for the pro­ Weller retained his strong feel­ chance to start again and to let Oil was originally popular with man on the edge of insanity, in blems in the world and the ings against injustice, but he love and understanding take the beach crowd in southern "Only the Strong," in which possibility of nuclear war. But channelled his emotions control. Australia, near the group's Garret's voice builds to a barely the Style Council emphasizes our positively and devoted his new The album also contains an in­ home inSydney. Now, however, comprehensible scream reminis­ personal improvements, group towards conveying the op­ strumental jazz number that this group of five Australians is cent of the Sex Pistols' harsh especially through the power of sounds as though it was recorded trying to warn that too much vocals. But the album is not love. Rather than attacking us in a club with its usual noises. complacency can cause people to without its optimism. "The with accusations and sarcasm, The song is performed almost forget the dangers of the nuclear Power and the Passion" is a Paul Weller, the writer and lead entirely by Mick Talbot on countdown and the political in­ song about "people, wasting singer for the Council, prefers to piano, with Weller adding justices that are increasing away in paradise," but there is overwhelm us with confident rhythm on the cymbals. around them: "Too much of joy among the sarcasm, and and optimistic music that makes The most successful song on sunshine, too much of sky/It's there is a feeling in the uplifting us feel that we have a chance to the album has to be "Speak Like enough to make you wanna and riotous music that there is start over again. The respon­ a Child," and it is understand­ cry." still hope. sibility of bringing love into the able that this was an immediate The music of 10,9,...I is The song that most ex­ world must start in our personal hit. The most striking aspect of straightforward and sometimes emplifies the band and their lives, and Weller's songs deal the song is the predominance of abrasive. The band draws on a background is "Maralinga." primarily with personal ex­ brass. The brass begins with variety of musical styles, Garret begins the number with a periences. All the songs are that total confidence that we although they have a definite spoken description of how he energetic and joyful, even the find throughout the album, but hard rock sound. The style sees Australia: "1 come from a angry, yet lively, "Money Go timism and hope that could is especially evident here. The often reflects the message that is land of wide open spaces/where Round," which accuses the crush injustice. brass builds in intensity and is being conveyed in a particular the world turns around us and political and social systems that This mini-album begins with then joined by an organ and song. The first song on side one, we just follow suit/There's heat perpetuate the imbalance of "Long Hot Summer," and I was Weller's strong vocals. The "Outside World," gives us a in the air and peace reigns wealth. immediately impressed with the combined power of the in­ simple solution to the world's supreme/Got white flags on the My descriptions seem to sug­ confidence that permeated the strumental, the vocal, and the problems — escape. The clothes lines, and the deals are gest that Introducing the Style music. The song is relaxed; the rigorous beat makes the song background music lulls us with new." The singing begins in the Council is a collection of mushy, music is almost comforting, and seem to blow like a breeze on a melodious runs on the syn­ next verse and the voice is heavy romantic love songs. Paul there is a definite blues im spring day dispelling winter's thesizer, but Garret's voice is with apathy as it describes the Weller would never allow it. He fluence. The lyrics speak of decay. toneless and almost sarcastic, devastation of nuclear war. But originally formed The Jam, an despair: "Don't matter what I This is an exciting album, with warning us that escape is not the there is hope even in this immensely successful British do, cause 1 end up hurting you," a joyful beat and melody that is answer. pessimistic song. Hope in the rock band that voluntarily but the music is so upbeat that I great for dancing, parties, or Variety is a key word in depths of despair is the message dissolved in late 1982. They found myself feeling strangely listening to when you could use a describing 70,9,.../. The that Midnight Oil wishes to con­ were known for their strong happy despite the apparent lack little optimism. Dancers Rock Palace by S. R. Peterson This year's dance-a-thon had have made dancing more fun, a new greatly appreciated addi­ especially if one had never seen Last Friday night, March 2, tion in the big screen videos the videos. Other events that APO and EKT sponsored the shown during the earlier part of provided a change of pace dur­ third annual American Heart the evening. The videos were ing the night of dancing were Association dance-a-thon in rented from Entertainment Con­ prizes given away for correct Skoglund Sports Palace. Over cepts in the cities. Prizes answers to trivia questions, 100 dancers collected pledges for donated by local businesses were group dances and a spectacular up to 12 hours of dancing, while also given to dancers throughout limbo contest at 2:00 a.m. more than sixty others donated the evening and morning hours. Mark Walters, the dance-a- money and danced to big screen These two added attraction thon organizer, wishes to express videos. The dance-a-thon raised served to draw many more appreciation for all the dancers pledges and donations for the dancers this year than last. who lasted until the very end and American Heart Association's The dancers truly enjoyed the to the businesses who donated general fund. music videos; they were said to the many prizes. Sgt. Olaf's Lonely Hearts Club Band Mark Mollne above: St Olaf students do not dance In vein. right: P.C. Schmidt leads the St. Olaf Brass Band Photo by O.G. Felland Junc 1904 .