DECEMBER 7,1990 — THE DECREE — PAGE 5 Primus deserving of 'best new artist’

By MARK BRETT Defy the Laws of Tradition,” an fection is my middle name, and named Harold. apt beginning with a lot of pinging whatever rhymes with eloquent” “Harold” ends with another Poor Milli Vanilli. Better than cymbals that come to an abrupt This song is followed by “Frizzle wrenching tape drag, and leads Dylan and Elvis, and they get their end with a sickening tape drag, Fry” itself, which has a droning, into a short instrumental reprise Grammy stripped from them, just sending the listening scurrying to sing-song quality that works well of “To Defy the Laws of Tradi­ because they have no discernible would stop their self-defeating his stereo’s “eject” button. That with its topic: a creature that de­ tion.” Thus the listener, after be­ talents beyond making fools of policy of pushing only “safe” tape owner’s survival instinct stroys belief, faith, and innocence ing jerked and pummelled merci­ themselves on national television. music that sounds basically alike, immediately shuts off, however, (sort of like puberty). lessly by the sheer standard- The real joke of all this, of some fresh new blood might get when the red song starts a second Side Two begins with “John breaking brutality of the rest of course, is that the music was gar­ in, and we’d have artists winning later, gyrating into oblivion. the Fisherman,” the song that best “Frizzle Fry,” finds himself gen­ bage, no matter who sang it. Grammys who really deserve From that moment on, the lis­ melds the funk and heavy metal tly deposited once again on the ‘Milli Vanilli,” whoever they re­ them. tener is off-balance, never quite sounds Primus deals with. In “The shores of “normalcy,” blinking ally are, produced a record of One such artist, a should-be knowing what to expect next. The Toys are Winding Down,” the and confused, but changed. For corporate rap-reggae, written ac­ nominee for Best New Artist of wild chaos of ‘To Defy” is fol­ guitars and drums work together better or for worse. cording to some mathematician’s 1990, is Primus, a three-man lowed by the controlled chaos of to produce a droning, clock-work With these words, your demographic survey of American “funk-metal” band from San “Ground Hog’s Day,” a song rhythm that grinds into “Pudding humble reviewer steps down from tastes to give it the widest possible Francisco. Primus is serious, de­ narrated by (I think) a Ground Time,” a wildly gyrating rave-up this position. I’m headed for the range of acceptance and all the lirious, and quirky; their style can Hog. The guitars swing off into that seems to be about deserts (the real world, where I plan to emotional substance of a Frosted best be described as Rick James appropriately portentous gusts mind boggles). stumble around blindly for Flakes jingle. They didn’t deserve meets Metallica under the influ­ here, only to jerk back into tight, Next is “Sathington awhile. I leave you with these the Grammy m the first place. ence of the theme from “Baretta.” heavy riffing for “Too Many Willoughby,” a song about some thoughts: Look beyond the sur­ Grammys are supposedly Understandably then, their debut Puppies,” a song protesting war. authoritarian legislator, which face of the ordinary; things are given out according to musical album, “Frizzle Fry,” is intensely ‘Too many puppies,” singer Les seems to share a dimensional not always as they seem. merit, not popularity, but that goofy, deadly serious, blatantly Claypool drones, “with guns in space with “Spegetti Western,” When encountering the doesn’t seem to be the case. surreal, and above all chaotic. their hands/Too many puppies in about what you do when you’re strange, look beneath its surface, Maybe if the record companies The album opens with “To foreign lands.” an unemployed member of the too; things there may not be what Next is “Mr. Knowitall,” middle class (this entails a lot of they seem, but at least they’re in­ which includes the wonderful TV viewing, apparently). Finally, teresting. And, finally, above all, Students get involved lines, “They call me Mr. we have “Harold of the Rocks,” a have fun; if you don’t you’re do­ Knowitall, I am so eloquen^er- really odd song about a guy ing something wrong. (Continued from Page 4) so easily accepted yellow ribbons Overall, I commend each and as a symbol for the hope of a safe return of, first, hostages in Iran every one of you for your efforts Concern more talk than action during the last week. Whether you who had been convicted of no crime, and second, for our troops were involved as actual sponsors By TERESA PITTS doesn’t take the time to sort his seems to be just a trend for some in Saudi Arabia, who have neither or participated as a member of trash and take it to recycling con­ people. For example, I was flip­ committed a crime nor been in­ the audience, each of you are to I have discovered that there is tainers. I guess he thinks he’ll ping through a magazine which carcerated. Reacceptance and be commended for your partici­ a truth to the statement about be­ spread the word and hope that had a page touting tips about pre­ forgiveness do not enter into ei­ pation. The possibilities for future ing all talk and all action. Many others will recycle. But how can serving the environment and pic­ ther situation. offerings at Wesleyan at endless people who claim to be environ­ you expect others to recycle when tures of clothes with eco-sayings. Second, and more important: mentally conscious rarely adhere you don’t? However, on the same page was if we can maintain this level of the troops in Saudi Arabia are to the beliefs and suggestions they Also, while I was in the store I an advertisement for a disposable excitement and participation. part of a volunteer army. Thus preach about. saw a lady purchase an environ­ camera. Either the environmental Pam Gourley, they are disproportionately from Director of Campus Activities I noticed this several weeks mental tee-shirt with the logo issues aren’t being taken seriously groups low on the socio-economic ago when I went to an “environ­ “save the planet” Ironically, she or they’re being seen as a fad. scale and from racial and ethnic Yellow ribbons awkward mental” shop with a friend. He was carrying plastic bags con­ Some celebrities are starting minorities. It is a good thing, of bought a recycling button, but he as symbol for patriotism taining purchases from other to show some environmental course, to wish for their safe re­ doesn’t recycle. He thinks that stores. Some concern. concern. Many may genuinely be Dear Editor: turn. recycling is a good idea, but he Being environmentally aware interested in the environmental Assuming that yellow ribbons But if one believes that their problems, but others seem to be symbolize concern for the safety mission in the Middle East is showing their concern for the en­ of soldiers and civilians on both proper, that it is worth risking vironment in order to receive sides whose lives and safety are Who has instructions? lives for cheap oil, the Kuwaiti good publicity. jeopardized by our military ruling dynasty, or the “new world (Continued from Page 4) Wednesday at 11:30, no matter For example, actress Bette building up Saudi Arabia, it is a order” that Mr. Bush has yet to what I’m watching, the VCR Midler is supposedly involved good thing that they have ap­ trying to program it to do what define clearly, the proper action takes over and changes the chan­ with environmental causes and a peared on our campus. she had bought it to do, but evi­ should be to volunteer oneself or, nel and starts flashing for me to year ago played “Mother Earth” Two points should be consid­ dently forgot to buy the Ph.D. at least, call for the reinstatement put in a tape. in a TV special about Earth Day. ered. First, a symbol can mean who could figure out what the of the draft. Thus the burden of Anyway, back an the floor Later, I read that she loved shoes, what people want it to mean, but instructions said and the magni­ death and pain can justly be with my new blinds and unintel­ pocketbooks, and belts made from we should remember that when fying glass to read what the VCR shar^. Putting yellow ribbons on ligible instructions, I grabbed the reptile skin. Maybe she is un­ Tony Orlando sang, ‘Tie a yellow was flashing at her. trees seems futile at best and, at hammer and some nails and aware that protecting the envi­ ribbon ‘round the old oak tree,” worst, hypocritical. Having learned a lesson from nailed the suckers up. I don’t care ronment involves all facets — he was asking that it symbolize If one believes the mission in her, I bought a VCR which has if they ever work; I threw out the even reptiles. his gklfriend’s desire to resume Aiabia to be reckless and irre­ on-screen programming so I can instructions. I think we must realize that their relationship after his incar­ sponsible, then the yellow ribbons at least see the words which I still Now I’m trying to follow this our environment is a serious issue ceration in prison for, if'I re­ are appropriate, but to protest cannot understand. I was okay, recipe which tells me to pulverize and that pwple must be genu­ member correctly, murder. He against Mr. Bush’s policy is also though, until one time I tried to (do not grind) six cumin seeds inely concerned with preserving was pleading for reacceptance and necessary. unprogram what I decided I didn’t bought only at night with peso it. You cannot preach about envi­ forgiveness. R.L. Watson need to tape. My VCR and I have obtained from authentic Mexican ronmental problems and then wait It is odd that our culture has Professor of History never bonded since. Every cooks. for others to start coixecting them.