Jane Hawley As We Walk On Thin Ice Hawley Records Reviewed by Andrew Gregory Scratch independent music is alive and well in Canada, and I’m not just talking about bands that cater to the alternative. Yes, believe it or not, there is an independent side to country music. It’s quite an impres- sive side if you go by Jane Hawley’s CD As We Walk On Thin Ice. Now | must admit that | am not really a die hard country fan; sure | know my Johnny Cash from my Patsy Cline but that’s about it. So | addressed this review with fresh ears and an open mind. The first few songs have nice jingles, but really don’t have the kick that the second half of this CD has. “You Turn Me On” and “25 Years” (bonus track on the CD only) are just a couple of the songs that combine the best of two worlds, a foot stomping beat, and a sweet groove of sorts that works hand in hand creating a pleasant balance. But the gem of this CD is the title track “As We Walk On Thin ice”. This song gives a feeling that almost transcends the traditional country format (as far as | can say ). Allin all, it is the most diverse song that brings pop and country closer than Billy Ray Cyrus could ever. Who knows, maybe there is an underground independent scene in country music that will change its own musical face, like Nirvana did with pop; maybe Jane Hawley will do it in country. Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians Respect Polygram Reviewed by David Franson For those of you who like Robyn Hitchcock anyway: go ahead and buy it. It’s up to the usual standard. Easily worth the $15, if any discs are. This outing begins with “The Yip Song”, an odd cross between a pop song and a mad jig. The lyrics are upbeat and it has the easiest refrain you could imagine (repeat the word “Yip”, rapidly). But upbeat does not mean stupid. Hitchcock is working in his usual surreal form. The tracks that follow calm down a bit, staying within the idea of the Beatles-influenced, catchy song with strange lyrics. There are no 20-minute soni Hitchcock is a skilled musician who does explore his chosen genre. There are enough musically interesting hooks here to keep running through your head for a while. And this is one of those discs that can be played straight through, there aren’t any weak or out-of-place tracks to interfere with your listening enjoyment. But there are some stylistic excursions into foreign territory. “When | Was Dead” begins with the sound of a shawm superimposed over a western pop/rock introduction for a particularly unsettling effect. “Wafflehead” is a sampled and sequenced a capella track that comes off like Bobby McFerrin doing George Clinton’s semi- raunchy lyrics. Overall assessment: a welcome addition to my collection. . c voyages, but Jesus Jones Perverse Capitol Records Okay, I'll admit, I’m biased. I’ve been a fan of Jesus Jones since Liquidizer and | had been eagerly awaiting the release of Perverse for quite some time. | had heard rumours that the new album was going to revolve around a heavy synth sound. Let me say now that large doses of synth do not exactly toss my salad. Nonetheless, | picked up the album and gave it a listen. There are good things about Perverse and there are bad things. Bad thing #1: it revolves around a heavy synth sound. I'm sorry but | don’t want to have to battle with the Super Mario Bros. soundtrack to be able to hear the bass, drums, and guitar. Jesus Jones is a five man band and | can only hear two. Bad thing #2: Mike Edwards (lead vocals) has overdone his raspiness on this album. Try to let loose a little pal. And it ‘also seems as if Mike has given up his guitar for the time being, but | may be wrong. Good things about Perverse are more abundant with the second listen. Songs like “Get a Good Thing” and “The Right Decision” are just so darned catchy, and in the latter | can clearly hear ALL of the instruments. Yay! Perverse makes me want to wiggle around like I’m in a dance club, and hey, wiggling around is always good. This album, despite it’s negatives, is growing on me like a yummy fungus (that’s a compliment). | hardly go a day without popping it into my stereo. Although | don’t feel Perverse is as good as their previous works, | do feel that it is worth a listen or two. (And to those of you who think that all of Jesus Jones' music sounds the same I'd like to know what planet you are from and what happened to your ears while you were there.) Love Nickie. Matthew Good Broken _ Black Spinning Disks Reviewed by Michael Salinger It’s funny how someone can seem to be with you and then suddenly not. | asked him what it was that drove him to write the songs that became this album and he said, “ A bad situation. A hope- less cause wrapped around a vulner- able heart.”. Matthew Good, for the most part, is just a lyricist that decided he needed to add something to the poetic form to create an impression that was resounding within. Broken is a mixture of regret, love, spite, and failing hope. Knowing that these attributes revolve around a similar theme , Broken seems more like a kaleidoscope of views‘on one subject which depicts the inner turmoil of the truths within each of us. The trick is to identify, not classify. Such songs as “Endsong” Duran Duran Duran Duran Capitol Records Planet of the Arts is now being serviced by several Canadian record companies. We have received and are receiving many new albums featuring a variety of different artists. If you would like to get involved in hearing some funky tunes and writing a li'l review drop a note in Nickie(Nicole)Senger’s mail box or stop by the Planet office and find out what we've Thanks. See ya! and “If Birds Don’t Fly Straight” can give you some insight into loss and frustration, wonder, and the betrayal of the self. : Broken‘s sound quality is good and the song writing is different and Reviewed by Alastair Wood This band that was the pop-chart sensation of the early 80’s is back with a slightly new sound. It seems that synthesizers have been traded in for drum machines, and that’s probably why this record has a definite dance feel to it. Different from previous Duran Duran albums, this latest offering features a blend of somewhat melodic vocals, subtle dance grooves and delicate guitar work. Songs like “Ordinary World”, “Love Voodoo” and “Come Undone” have a relaxing and almost dream-like atmosphere. This is definitely a record to pick up if you're looking for something a little bit different. inspirational. To identify with your own experience, in my opinion, is this album’s aim. And in the scheme of things, perhaps music such as this is what keeps us from thinking that we are not alone when the rain is hard. Broken is available at Sam the Record Man (downtown), Track , and Black Swan. TUNES ‘As We Walk On Thin Ice Hawley Records Reviewed by Andrew Gregory Scratch Independent music is alive and well in Canada, and 'm not just talking about bands that cater to the altemative. Yes, believe it or not, there is an independent side to ‘country music. It’s quite an impres- sive side if you go by Jane Hawley's CD As We Walk On Thin Ice. Now I must admit that | am not really a die hard country fan; sure | know my Johnny Cash from my Patsy Cline but that's about it. So | addressed this review with fresh ears and an open mind. The first few songs have nice jingles, put really don’t have the kick that the second half ofthis CD has. “You Turn Me On” and "25 Years” (bonus track on the CD only) are just a couple of the songs that combine the best of two worlds, a foot stomping beat, and a sweet groove of Sorts that works hand in hand creating a pleasant balance. But the gem of this ‘CD is the ttle track "As We Walk On Thin ice”. This song gives a feeling that Simost transcends the traditional country format (as far as! can say’). Allin all it is the most diverse song that brings pop and country closer than Billy Ray Cyrus could ever. Who knows, maybe there is an underground independent scene in Country music that will change its own musical face, like Nirvana did with pop: maybe Jane Hawley will do itn country. Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians Respect Polygram Reviewed by David Franson For those of you who like Robyn Hitchcock anyway: go ahead and buy it. It's up to the usual standard. Easily worth the $15, if any discs are. ‘This outing begins with “The Yip Song”, an odd cross between a pop song and a mad jig. The lyrics are upbeat and it has the easiest refrain you could imagine (repeat the word "Yip", rapidly). But upbeat does not ‘mean stupid. Hitchcock is working in his usual surreal form. The tracks that follow calm down a bit, staying within the idea of the Beatles.influenced, catchy song with strange lyrics. There are no 20-minute sonic voyages, but Hitchcock isa skilled musician who does explore his chosen genre. There are enough musically interesting hooks here to keep running through your head for a while. And this is one of those discs that can be played straight through, there aren't any weak or out-of-place tracks to interfere with your listening enjoyment. But there are some stylistic excursions into foreign tertory. "When | Was Dead” begins withthe sound ofa shawm superimposed over a western pop/rock introduction for a particularly unsettling effect. "Wafflehead” is a sampled and sequenced a capella track that comes off ike Bobby McFerrin doing George Clinton’s semi- raunchy lyrics. Overall assessment: a welcome addition to my collection. Duran Duran Duran Duran Capitol Records Reviewed by Alastair Wood ‘This band that was the pop-chart sensation of the early 80's is back with a slightly new sound. It seems that synthesizers have been traded in for drum machines, and that’s probably why this record has a definite dance feel to it. Different from previous Duran Duran albums, ths latest offering features a blend of somewhat melodic vocals, subtle dance grooves and delicate guitar ‘work. Songs like “Ordinary World”, “Love Voodoo” and “Come Undone” have a relaxing and almost dream-like atmosphere. This is definitely a record to pick up if you're looking for something a litte bit different. Jesus Jones Perverse Capitol Records Okay, ll admit, I'm biased. I've been a fan of Jesus Jones ‘ince Liquidizer and | had been eagerly awaiting the release of Perverse for quite some time. | had heard rumours that the new album was going to revolve around a heavy synth sound, Let me say now that large doses of synth do not exactly toss my salad. Nonetheless, | picked up the album and gave ita listen. There are good things about Perverse and there are bad things. Bad thing #1: it revolves around a heavy synth sound. Ym sorry but | don’t want to have to battle with the Super Mario Bros. soundtrack to be able to hear the bass, drums, and guitar. Jesus Jones is a five man band and I can only hear two. Bad thing #2: Mike Edwards (lead vocals) has overdone his raspiness on this album. Try tolet loose a litte pal. And it also seems as if Mike has given up his guitar for the time being, but | may be wrong. Good things about Perverse are more abundant with the second listen. Songs like “Get a Good Thing” and “The Right Decision” are just so darned catchy, and in the latter | can clearly hear ALL of the instruments. Yay! Perverse makes me want to wiggle around like I'm in a dance club, and hey, ‘wigaling around is always good. ‘This album, despite it’s negatives, is growing on me like a yummy fungus (that’s a compliment). hardly go 2 day ‘without popping it into my stereo. Although | don’t feel Perverseis as good as their previous works, do feel that itis ‘worth a listen or two. (And to those of you who think that all of Jesus Jones! music sounds the same I'd like to know what planet you are from and what happened to your ears while ‘you were there.) Love Nickie. Matthew Good Broken Black Spinning Disks Reviewed by Michael Salinger It's funny how someone can seem to be with you and then suddenly not. | asked him what it was that drove him to write the songs that became this album and he said, " A bad situation. Ahope- less cause wrapped around a vulner- able heart.”. Matthew Good, for the most part, is just a lyricist that decided he needed to add something to the ppoetic form to create an impression that was resounding within. Broken is a mixture of regret, love, spite, ‘and failing hope. Knowing that these attributes revolve around a similar theme , Broken seems more like a kaleidoscope of views on one subject which depicts the inner turmoil of the truths within each of Us. The trick is to identify, not classify. Such songs as “Endsong” ‘and “If Birds Don’t Fly Straight” can {give you some insight into loss and frustration, wonder, and the betrayal of the self. Broken’s sound quality is good and the song writing is different and inspirational. To identify with your ‘own experience, in my opinion, is this album's aim. And in the scheme of things, perhaps music such as this is what keeps us from thinking that ‘we are not alone when the rain is hard. Broken is available at Sam the Record Man (downtown), Track , and Black Swan.