The Observer • Augustana College • Rock Island, IL • Fríday, Oct. 16, 1992 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT REM downshifts with 10,000 Maniacs Automatic for the People unleash new By Mike Betts damn single, I found myself fran- intriguingly linked together with musical elements Arts Editor tically trying to find one station mood and tempo, never departing that wasn't playing "Losing My from the folky melodies and soft, Religion" at that exact moment in heartfelt lyrics. By Tina Panos Merchanfs deep, whole bodied à he pioneers of college alterna- time. Yet over my shoulder and in Special to the Observer voice. tive tripped up somewhere around my rear-view-window, there they A string quartet is introduced "Green" and found themselves were, the new breed, still tapping, These songs are not in "Jezebel," which incorporates swelling in the worldwide, pop andbobbing, andsinging. Maybe talking through the the piano and strings bcautifully embrace of "Out of Time." Not that REM was the biggest boost for radio. They are I atalie Merchant has one of while Merchant changes her style thosealbumswerebad. Justbig. I radio music in the last decade. those voices that draws you into and lets her sweet voice go soft don't know, maybe its got some- Maybe radio was the lowest ca- talking to it. theinnerdepthsofhermusic. She to compliment the dramatic thing to do with a deeply-rooted, pablepoint for REM. Maybe Fm sounds as if she needs to clear sounds of the instruments. The personaJ bias for classic REM or just paranoid... her throat when she's bellowing lyrics are so strong that the soft the fact that the radio shot some Either way, "Automatic for the These songs are not talking outherflatnotes. If satrulycom- touch of the piano and strings pull perfectly good, new songs to shit. People" is a downshift from the through the radio. They are talk- pelling sound she posseses; one the song together amazingly. pop race and a departure from their ing to it. They are talking above it. Daring it to rise to their levei. It's that I can imitate only if I take a 'Tm not saying love's a play- The songs hyped pop movement. Shedded breath and hold it in the hollow thing/No, it's a powerful word/ are the fun, bubble gum songs like a rare example of a band getting so of my throat and attempt to sing. inspired by strong desire to bind "Automatic" offers "Stand," "Get Up," "Shiny Happy big they can turn around on the Due to my smoking habit though, myself to you". portray a more People" and "Near Wild Heaven." entire scene they created and say, I chose to listen to Merchant The viola lead in "How You' ve Also ommited are their quintessen- "That was cool hearing our songs rather than waste precious breath Grown" captures the mourning beautiful, melodic tial twangy, rock rhythmns. The everywhere but now were gonna for my own trivial amusement. mood with Merchant reflecting and mature REM. songs "Automatic" offers portray go do this." Ah, yes, proof that REM still dictates themselves. onthe end of her childhood as she a more beautiful, melodic, and Hurrah, Hurray! The one that got sings "Because we can't make up mature REM. The álbum is intro- Nothing can silence a way! for the time that we' ve lost/I must spective, with more convincing, As I tapped my foot and sang Merchanfs let these memories provide." yet ever-cryptic, singing coming Before, when someone asked if along with an "Out of Time" re- And finally, bassoons are uti- from Michael Stipe in humble, sin- I liked REM I"d say," Yeah," then fantastic voice lease playing on my car sterio, I lized quite effectively in the fi- cere reflections. From the first throw in the clause, "I like their noticed ali theother people in their when she has the nal and perhaps most dramatic taste Mtv has rationed to us, oldstuffalotbetter, though." Then cars doing the same. I shrugged. bassoons leading track, 'Tm Not the Man." The "Dri ve," the álbum glides on cruise along comes"Automatic for the "More REM-heads." Then, when song tells a story of a man escap- control seeking out new facets and People," a true, unforseen bless- her melody the next month rolled around, still ing an outright crime while the atrue, newidentity. The songs are ing of an álbum. And now I can bearing the burden of that same throughout her eerie victim sits waiting "on a row/for just answer, simply, "Yes." story. the man to test the rope/he'll slip around my neck/and silence me." STUDENTS or ORGANIZA- But nothing can silence TIONS. Promote our Florida Spring The latest release from the Merchanfs fantastic voice when Breakpackages EarnMONEYand 10,000 Maniacs "Our Time In she has the bassoons leading her FREE trips Organize SMALL or Éden," is even more inviting that melody throughout her eerie LARGE groups. Call Campus Mar- theirprevious works. Theheavy story. keting. 800-423-5264. beats, strong piano leads and use of varying classical instruments The heavy beats, $$$$, FREE TRAVEL AND RE- are far more daring and intricate SUME EXPERIENCEI! Individuais than any of their prior endeav- strong piano leads and Student Organizations wanted ors. and use of varying to promote SPRING BREAK, call the The first song,"Noah's Dove", classical nation's leader Inter-Campus Pro- has a strong, chromatic scale, pi- grams 1-800-327-6013 ano melody that makes you want instruments are far todrivesomedesolateroad with more daring than only a pack of smokes and Merchanfs voice leading your any of their prior way. "In yourreckles mindyou tracks. act as if you've got more lives...it's never too late to seize MINORITY COLLEGE • some final breath of freedom," The new 10,000 Maniacs is STUDENTS & GRADS: • shesingsasyou'retwistinground definitely a must-have. The roads trying to figure out if that variations in their style are de- reckless mind is yours. picted carefully in each song and The Maniacs have expanded the lyrics are ones you can hear their horizons by incorporating over and over as you lure your- instruments which stray from self into some deep, distant their norm. In the feature track thoughts. This is a musical work Y)urMBA "Few and Far Between," they ex- you may find yourself growing periment with someserious horns increasingly attached to while at which reminded me of Phil the same time you could bring it Collins' early, jazz-based music. to your Art of Listening teacher Butthisjazzybackbeat serves as as a demonstration of classical an interesting contrast to instruments that won't cause you Starts Here. to fali asleep in class again. ^^ff^J^33 Whafs it take to get your MBA7 Wliat • f V ' W * ^ programs are offered and what are the • k Á-1«M>SSS9 admissions requirements? Is financial aid • available? 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