FAT'w°9 10 The Daily Collegian Tuesday, Oct. 15, 1991 A deeper 'Homefront' could deserve 'thirtysomething' following By MICHELLE KINSMAN American veteran facing racism and that cannot conceal the fact this Collegian Arts Writer that has already brought up in a deeper TV review Guiliana Santini, as an Italian war bride could be a post-WWII "As the World manner. Audiences have seen enough hated by her in-laws. Turns." shows that deal with issues only in token Fans begged, wished, protested and Though cast members out, a few stand This factor may work for ABC, terms. prayed, but ABC cancelled many of the others only do a mediocre intriguing stories. In the midst of the however. Since the demise of popular "thirtysomething" anyway. job in their roles. The character-based One great example of this is the MTV generation, where attention spans prime-time soaps such as "Dallas" and storyline involving Sure, Now its faithful fans can find a show gives actors much opportunity for racism. it is a former are ulta-short, boredom is not a problem "Dynasty," this just might be the great thing that a network in a new show in its old improvement, but it will probably be a is actually substitute here: there are plotlines galore. formula audiences are looking for. Face taking on such an important issue each 10 p.m. "Homefront." while before any performance Emmy time slot: Many diverse plots abound. Some of it, everybody loves pure escapism once week. But it seems the purpose of is set after World War II nominations should be expected. sole "Homefront" the plots include two brothers fighting in a while. Macer's character is to fight chronicles the return of American Despite and for the love of one woman, the feud the fact that the young series But if discrimination. He has to be developed soldiers to their former home lives. even this regular audience is between a soldier's new wife and his has a few points working in its favor, fully and given other stories just as there captured, there are things standing in The series contains many of the jilted lover and a woman facing job is one factor that outshines them. the way of the other characters are in order to "Homefront" is pure soap opera. "Homefront" gaining the ingredients that gave "thirtysomething" discrimination because of her gender critical acclaim of a show such as truly become part of an important story. steady ratings points, the most important The show also showcases a number of and may Dollars dollars have been "thirtysomething." If "Homefront" is successful at this, of which is its habit-forming nature. new talents. Outstanding cast members spent it on art direction and various The major road block is that could gain a strong following and more A key factor in this viewer is Macer, African- current may addiction are Sterling Jr., as an issues be brought up, but "Homefront" must develop the issues it importantly, deserve its audience. A neurotic punch United States plays catch-up while Pixies album holds onto tradition By JOE WARMINSKY "U-Mass," a song written Collegian Arts Writer during the band's days in the Record review University of Massachusetts at gratifying thing The most about Amherst before they dropped out, the Pixies is that they would is pure rock music, of the sort much rather get under your skin laden beat over some wispy, that gets you dancing, yelling, and than into your wardrobe. melodic vocals by Black Francis. singing along. David Lovering's Since about 1988, the quartet Without letting up, they bust cowbell drumming is a send-up of from Boston has produced unique, into "Planet of Sound," which the hard-rock school that says,"hit schizoid college rock that scared might be their heaviest song ever. 'em as hard as you can." Kim Europe into liking them but never Joey Santiago's and Francis's Deal's bass line rumbles quite found a market at home. guitars really grind it out the playfully, and Francis does his Unfortunately, their latest, type of sound that was missing on best imitation of a drunk bar-band Trompe le Monde, will probably the tinny Bossanova. singer, hollering, "It's continue this trend. "Alec Eiffel" is as close as educational!" The Pixies' first two full-length Francis will get to lucid lyrics. One part satire, one part albums, Surfer Rosa and Doolittle It's a mini history lesson about energy, and one part garage folly, established them as one of the tower and its architect that the tune puts the rest of the disc America's promising new acts. turns from a punk ode to a roller- in focus. Last year's Bossanova caught rink ditty. This kind of silliness, "Lovely Day," has bongos and them trying to perhaps combined with their "scariness" edgy acoustic guitars reminiscent mainstream a bit, and the result is at the core of the Pixies' of Surfer Rosa, and was a so-so effort that had them appeal. "Subbacultcha" is a wry, funny talking too much about aliens. The band moves through a comment on the inanity of But right from the start, slicing thrash song, "The Sad "alternative" club-hoppers. Trompe has the neurotic punch Punk," and a bubblegum pop tune Someday the United States will that made the first albums so called "Head On" before hitting catch up to the Pixies. Let's hope interesting. The title track opens what might be one of the band's the band doesn't have to slow the disc with its galloping, bass- true masterpieces. down for it to happen. Cole deserves recognition By JAY HAUSER Collegian Arts Writer Courtesy of Ray Charles Record review Lloyd Cole's second solo album Don't Get Weird Ray put performances in Charles on two sold out Eisenhower Auditorium Saturday. He played such timeless On Me, Babe is proof that Cole is one of the most hits as "The Things She Knows" and "I Can't Stop Loving You." wry unknown singer/songwriters on the scene today. have at least one drinking reference, the best being Cole has ever hardly gotten the recognition he "Weeping Wine" with the line: "The world won't deserves. Lloyd Cole & The Commotions was one of wait/babe you're cryin' too late/ you're drinking on the 'Bos, best alternative bands of the but was a borrowed time/and the last thing you need is me Charles moves audience bigger hit with critics than on the album charts. and my weeping wine." Consistently a creative muscician and lyricist, Cole should be more widely recognized with this Alcohol, however, plays a relatively minor role in Me, album, although the lack of a definite radio-ready Don't Get Weird On Babe. Most of the songs deal with the complexities of modern single to push the album may cause it to stall on the life and love. with quality performance Cole takes both a realistic and sarcastic look at charts. Radio has always been more both. In "Pay For It," Cole laments, "I'm still By HELEN SANDOR said of a hinderance than wearing scars I got from being your fool/you Pete Liiva (graduate- a help to creative musicians who Collegian Arts Writer mechanical engineering). aren't media messed me up pretty good babe I didn't mean to friendly. Diversity should extend beyond the Concert The reed section, especially, rule you." classroom and onto the airwaves. If it ain't dance No one could ever express a added force to pieces Yet in the song famous music, classic rock 'n' roll easy listening (what funniest on the album, and also purer pleasure from being on stage review performed with or a probably draw the the Raeletts like misnomer that is, huh?) you hear on the one that will most than Ray Charles did at Eisen- road, won't it "Hit the Jack." mainstream State College radio. undeserved flak, "She's A Girl And I'm A Man," he hower Auditorium Saturday. then, jokes sarcastically, gotta And there was Charles' Cole will probably not "She's be the stupidest girl Beating on his legs with deeply and that when voice. fare well here and that is a I I moved aware shame because the album is quite good. ever seen/she don't care who or where been/she's excitement as the crowd gave him comes to Such got a right to be with all that's wrong me/ it performing, Ray timeless hits as "The Doing his usual talk-sing thing, Cole weaves with but a standing ovation, the king of jazz Charles does not compromise. Things She Knows," "I Can't she doesn't want to understand/she's a girl Stop through many different styles on the album from and I'm could not contain his joy and looked "He's got very happy feet," Loving You," "Georgia a man." said and On My the straight-ahead Your Sister," and more like a little boy receiving his Lito Lucena (graduate-acoustic). Mind" provided the rocker "Tell ultimate the Roy Orbison-like "Weeping Wine," to a bossa The song doesn't degrade women actually it first trophy. In fact, Charles exercised his sensitivity and simplicity. nova "Man Enough" that boasts a killer accordian points a powerful finger at the male perception of Saturday's performances were a at legs quite bit while sitting his But a lifetime experience with riff. womanhood and makes the point that men can be gems. The fact is, no artist could synthesizer.