Page 8 -The Michigan Daily-Tuesday, January 19, 1988 Records Steve Kilbey Unearthed Enigma Records Brian Ritchie The Blend SST Records kAhhh, solo records. The darn things always worry fans of whatever b'and the protagonist originally came from. Beyond that, solo records pre- sent a quandry when judging their merits. Does the solo artist have anything to say outside the frame- work of his/her original band? If so, d'. fans of the band want to hear dif- f~rent styles from one of their fa- vtrites? , Steve Kilbeys, Unearthed, his first solo project away from the Church, answers the first question with a "no." The album merely con- tinues the Church's gradual mellow- ing from crashing guitar songs such as "The Unguarded Moment" to softer pieces such as "Columbus." Unearthed sounds like the last Church effort, Heyday, without the rest of the band. This accounts for a lack of contrasting background vo- cals, and a downright annoying drum machine. Although this LP doesn't move Steve Kilbey in any n e w directions, it is still highly recommended for his gentle vocals and songwriting. Fans of Church albums such as Heyday and Remote Luxury should enjoy Unearthed, but if those albums put you to sleep then this one will, too. Brian Ritchie, on the other hand, manages to simultaneously use some of the style of his band, the Violent Femmes, while exploring some ma- terial the Femmes haven't tried. The Blend is an aptly named album, as it blends a couple musical styles unex- pectedly. Ritchie uses the Femmes' trademark propulsive acoustic guitar on a few tracks, but most of the songs are not as minimal as past Femmes arrangements. The surprising part of the record is Ritchie's bland attempts at funk. Overall, The Blend doesn't contain anything truly noteworthy, but die- hard fans of the Femmes will at least be able to listen to it. The big question these records raise is about the future of the artists' respective bands. Kilbey's press release coyly describes the Church as "an ongoing concern," so it is a safe bet there will be a new Church record sometime in 1988. The Femmes case is a bit more complex. While Gordon Gano was off fiddling with his Mercy Seat project, Ritchie managed to put out this record and appear on an album by another band. However, one of the many current rumors about Johnny Marr is that he has been asked to produce the next Violent Femmes LP, so maybe if we keep our fingers crossed they will come back as well. -Brian Jarvinen 4 Books 4 (Continued from Page 7) the same face at thirty-four that I had at five, same sulky mouth and Kewpie-doll cheeks, unlined and missing something, the face of a Gerber baby, so essentially unmemorable that a change of hairstyle er color is enough to cause acquaintances of many years to pass me by on the street." But even if the character's voice lacks credibility, Anna Kate makes up for it with color and vivacity. As fiction, it works; as slice-of life, it wouldn't. But that's okay, because it is fiction. Perhaps it is even a bit autobiographical, because Anna Kate, like her creator, is co- writer/producer/director of a socially, conscious film. In any case, Between Pictures is a book worth reading if you've got the time for a little fun poked at the trendy, chic lifestyle of the showbiz world of the '80s. 4 Brian Ritchie, bass player for the Violent Femmes, combines familiar Femmes' sounds with original avenues in his aptly titled solo album 'The Blend.' Does this release along with vocalist Gordon Gano's project Mercy Seat mean the Femmes are defunct? -Meredith McGhan I I STUDENTS INTERESTED IN AN ACTUARIAL CAREER ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE CNA INSURANCE COMPANIES' ON-CAMPUS RECEPTION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20th 4:30 tii 6:00 PM MICHIGAN UNION a . ShowI Michi how you feel with ... gan Daily Personals 764-0557 4 4 r Immediate Occupancy For Winter Term All apartments located on central campus Flexable Terms Maximum Space for Minimum Price Lots of Parking st, Ann Arbor We Pay Heat I 721 S. Fore '791 1 Kry 1700 Geddes, Ann Arbor 1215 Hill, Ann Arbor and others... fM (zQ1) 76l-l52z 543 Church Stree Ann Arbor, NU 48104 4 El I. CNA For All the Commitments You Make* 1IMY IJ±VI NJ1 Top Israeli singer, songwriter and guitarist. Winner of Israel's King David Award for best male vocalist and performance. 4 Stop by and see a Jostens representative, Monday, January 18-Friday, January 22, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., ild