0 MARCH 1988 Life and Art U. THE NATIONAL COLLEGE NEWSPAPER 17 MARCH 1988 U Life and Art U. THE NATIONAL COLLEGE NEWSPAPER 17 Sting's slick new LP has no soul In rock music's ever- N(TIHIING expanding hal- YcK E TH SU lowed hall, the niche bearing the name "Sting" lies somewhere be- tween "Bowie" and "Costello," some- where between idolatry and intellect. His obsession with being taken seriously finally culminates on Nothing Like the Sun, his new and anxiously awaited double album. The record's 12 songs are marked by a rich interweav- ing of musical textures, literate and in- sightful lyrics and, alas, a saddening lack of passion. :..: , , ;;,. r . Nowhere is this more evident than on "They Dance Alone." The song is a poig- nant look at Chilean political injustice. But rather than making one think, it puts one to sleep. Sting does attempt to liven things up a bit in "We'll Be Together," the album's funky first single. But even this anoma- lous burst of energy can't escape the soulless vacuum; it's a little too slick, too inhuman for genuine funk. On Nothing Like the Sun, Sting hides behind the music, presumably because he's adopted the mistaken philosophy that serious-art-can't-be-lively. Sting wants to prove to the world that he's a smart guy. But if he's really smart, he'll try to muster a little more passion in his next attempt.xsJeff Turrentine, The Daily Texano, U. of Texas, Austin *Natural disaster for Earth, Wind & Fire By T.W. Siebert The Diamondback U. of Maryland, College Park The once reliable and intelligent funk/pop band Earth, Wind & Fire's e new release Touch The World is a great disappointment. Overproduced to the point of desperation, it is awash with too many synthesizers and drum machines, which replace the much-missed EW & F horns-a key ingredient in most of this band's best material. Seventeen songwriters and six pro- ducers dull the band's character and even Phillip Bailey and Maurice White's superior vocals can't save it. Side one is mostly innocuous pop music, easily dismissed. The band seriously miscalculates by closing with the rehashed "New Horizons," which only bids unfavorable comparison to the lightweight fare. Side two is more of the same. The standout cut is the harmonious, hymn- like title track, which rises above the bombastic production with good lyrics and strong vocals. Though not without melodic appeal, Touch the World can't touch the group's earlier work. Earth, Wind & Fire has lost its roots, become too full of hot air and burned out. Balancing Act tips musical scale Balancing Act is teasing you. Its bar- bershop-quartet rock on the newest LP, Three Squares and a Roof, sounds oddly familiar but damn if you can place its origin. Just when you think you've fi- gured them out, Balancing Act will send you reeling back into confusion. With punchy instrumentals such as "Governor of Pedro," it's almost difficult not to start scuffing those heels across the floor. "Searching for This Thing" is another extremely catchy tune about the quest for the Holy Grail. The hooks will whirl you up in the air and refuse to put you back down again, all the while laughing at your captivity. "Obviously we have influences," guitarist and vocalist Steve Wagner said. "But we don't try to emulate any- body. Each member brings an idea for a P song and we all work on it." And it seems to have paid off. The Village Voice listed the group's EP, New Campfire Songs, among the Top Ten EPs of 1986. Wagner claims Balancing Act infuses politics into its songs; "Politics start on a personal level," Wagner said. "We deal with that in our songs - on a very con- crete level." Nicole Gustin, The Red and Black, U. of Georgia Until now, beer this real came only from a keg. Draft beer is as real as beer gets. Since it's not heat-pasteurized, heat can't change its rich, smooth, real taste. Miller Genuine Draft is as real as that. It's not heat-pasteurized like most other beers in bottles and cans. Instead, it's cold-filtered so it's as rich and smooth as only real draft beer can be. As- real as it gets.