The Michigan Daily-Friday, January 8, 1988- Page 9 Records Meat Puppets Huevos SST Records Huevos, Meat Puppets' fourth release in two years, makes it ever more apparent that this twangy threesome has been circling the same old sun-baked stomping ground they became a little too comfortable with three records ago. Their innovative desert images and crafty playing seem to have hit a dry spell as of late, leaving us with an LP that is in no way bad, but still doesn't live up to what the Pups have to offer. Sounding more and more like ZZ Top than ever, Meat Puppets have continued their trend away from super-eccentricity and have produced more, uh, conventional tunes (well, as conventional as you can be while writing about "emerald feathered goblins"). Guitarist Curt Kirkwood and bassist/brother Cris bounce off each other like lazy rubberbands; they shoot with decent aim but don't have enough snap. Even their trademark lyrics have gotten more straightforward, although they're still preoccupied with the landscape, food, and sex. The best moments of Huevos are when Meat Puppets evade all logic ,and just babble - and this LP has a fair share of ethereal, carhartic songs about that elusive "it" the Pups like to chase through the shifting sands. Trouble is, there's also a little too much guitar noodling that doesn't get off the ground, and too many misdirected punches. Here and there the riffs stand out, as on "Look at the Rain," but Huevos really suffers from that "all these songs start to sound the same" syndrome. Huevos just lacks the eclectic sparkle of Meat Puppets' earlier work. If you want a better showcase for their hefty talents, go see 'em live any day. - Beth Fertig Culture Two Sevens Clash Shanachie Records Shanachie records has just re- issued Culture's 1977 classic, Two Sevens Clash. The album is a magnificent piece of reggae history as it chronicles the rise of Rastafari in the late '70s. It is also considered one of the greatest reggae albums r ever; a masterpiece that became a, ,paradigm for reggae and African music worldwide. To understand the significance of this historic work, Jamaican history must first be understood. In 1977, The Jesters of In a Nostalgic Mood Metal Blade Records. Destiny The Jesters of Destiny are one of LA's New Metal bands, which generally combine metal and punk with a touch of black humor and provide metal fans with something far more refreshing than the typical master-mixed Def Leppard single. In a Nostalgic Mood, the second EP by the Jesters, consists of, as its title might suggest, five covers of rock "classics:" "Fortunate Son," "Foxey Lady," Bobby Troup's "The Girl Can't Help It," the Elastik Band's "Spazz," and Black Sabbath's "Electric Funeral." All except the last of these songs sound nothing like and nowhere near as good as the originals. From the cover art and some changed lyrics it is apparent that the Jesters play their songs with tongue firmly in cheek, yet their slow, ponderous sound is so irritating that the satire never has a chance to become amusing. They sound much like early Black Sabbath, which allowstheir cover 'of "Electric Funeral" to sound similar to the original. The guitar isn't as grating, though, nor can singer Ray Violet snarl the tune's inane lyrics as well as Ozzy Osbourne could. All of this may or may not be a plus for the EP, depending on one's point of view. The other four songs are twisted so far by the band that what were originally good party tunes are changed almost to songs of despair. It is difficult to imagine why anyone would want to listen to a "Fortunate Son" that with no extra lyrics or guitar work, is twice as long as CCR's original. It is also difficult to imagine what possessed the Jesters to satirize this song - or "The Girl Can't Help It," which sounds as if she can't help it because she's narcoleptic. The slow sound and unfunny rewrites of these tunes make In a Nostalgic Mood completely un- appealing. The Jesters would be well advised to stick to their own brand of music and leave covers to more astute artists such as Mitch Ryder or Manfred Mann. --Ian Campbell Phoenix, Arizona's Meat Puppets have been circling the same sun baked stomping ground for a little too long. Pictured from left to right are band members Curt Kirkwood, Cris Kirkwood, and Derrick Bostrom. Kingston was a ticking time bomb as African immigrants flooded the poorer districts in search o f salvation. What they found was horrifying; squalid living conditions,i starvation, violence, and shattered dreams. But unlike other gasping Third World countries, an air of unity was swirling through the desecrated city of Kingston. The apocalyptic spiritual and cultural movement called Rastafarianism began to draw more and more strife- torn Blacks into its peaceful protests. And from this wreckage came the velvety vocals of one Joseph Hill. Hill organized Culture by joining forces with Albert Walker and Kenny Dayes. The group was led by Hill, who sang lead vocals over 'the gliding harmonies of Walker and Dayes. Their first release was Tw o Sevens Clash, the title based on a vision by Joseph Hill that predicted 1977 as a year of judgement - when two sevens clash and past injustices would be avenged. The album contains powerful lyrics, and' producer Joe Gibbs utilized such astounding talents as Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, who were at the time revolutionizing the art of rhythm with their own group, fittingly called the Revolutionaries. Culture's first hit from the album, "See Dem A Come," is a defiant reggae-rocker featuring Hill's vengeful vocals spread lightly over a chorus of zealous testifying. Majestic harmonies skank lightly over Sly and Robbie's sledgehammer rhythm on the rapturous "Get Ready to Ride the Lion to Zion." On "I'm Alone in the Wilderness," Joseph Hill rides a euphoric ganja high into the torrid world of despair, providing a metaphoric anthem for scores of oppressed Blacks worldwide. And finally, "Black Starliner Must Come" is a shimmering whirlwind of Rastafarian dreams as well as a stinging denunciation of the myopic vision of racism. This is the first time Two Sevens Clash has been made available in the U.S. Hill's prophetic lyrics relate crucial historical events to present suffering and mold the tunes into formidable revolutionary statements. Similarly, Culture's timeless musical arrangements make Two Sevens Clash a must for reggae fans as well as a perfect introduction into the beautiful musical composition of the genre. This LP stands as a monumental landmark in the history of reggae and Rastafarianism. -Todd Spanker PERSONALIZED AND DISTINCTIVE Serving You: " JERRY " LARRY 9 " DAN TUES-THURS MON 8 WED FRI-SAT 8:30 TO 8:00 8:00 TO 6:30 WE WANT TO THANK ALL OUR LOY CUSTOMERS OVER THE LAST 14 Y~ BECAUSE CUSTOMER SATISFACT1 ("ETWEN HILL AND ACK BARBERS & STYLISTS HAIR STYLING FOR THE ACTIVE PROFESSIONAL I MEN OWOMEN 0CHILDREN APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE YAL 668 9 EARS ON 10 . 808 S. STATE STREET FARO) ANN ARBOR, MI 48104 i , F-P- L1 AT, _ _ I cOUPON Adult Lvening Admission 1 TICKET Good thru~ 1/14/88' COUPON eclipse jazz presents d ARg P71? AZZ hubie crawford / mike glutierrez and truth sunday, January 10 workshop at 4:30 music from 5-7pm Tap Rom-Michigan Union FREE FREE ! FREE ! FREE! FREE!F E!I" BRING IN THIS AD FOR A GREAT MOVIE DEAL! (ONE TICKET PER COUPON) r e V i i i d Barbra Streisand Richard Dreyfuss NUTS(R) I'VE HEARD THE MERMAIDS SINGING- CARPET REMNANTS ALWAYS A GREAT SELECTION OF CARPET REMNANTS 40%-50% OFF GREAT FOR YOUR: Dorm Rooms Apartments Homes AL Y YYYYYZII I E The University of Michigan Gilbert & Sullivan Society Invites You To An Organizational MASS MEETING For The Spring Production of THE GONDOLIERS Sunday, January 10 8:00 p.m. Henderson Room, Michigan League Call761-7855 for information THE OFFICE OF MAJOR EVENTS PRESENTS Echo THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HOSPITALS V61LUNTEERg Please call 764-6874 for additional info. venture into High Tech and add to the Human Touch Help Patients with the Healing Process Learn about the 150 rewarding volunteer opportunities INFORMATION SESSIONS Thursday, Jan. 7, 7PM-8PM Monday, Jan.11, 7PM-8PM Rm. 2A201 Amphitheater University Hospital Thursday, Jan. 14, 4PM-5PM Rm. 2C208, University Hospital NNERSHY IrNEDIL MICHIGAN CEN ER Carpet Installation OPEN: TWTh Tools & Supplies F 8-6 8-8 10K & 14KGOLD SIGNET RINGS Closed Sun. & Mon. 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