4 The Michigan Daily ARTS x;- r, Monday, October 10, 1988 Page 8 ,. 4 FYI: What's new in hip hop BY SHEALA DURANT HAT'S the newest hip hop dance band to hop into Billboard's top 20? Well, for your information, it's Information Society. Information Society was started by James Cassidy, Paul Robb, Kurt Valaquen and Amanda Kramer back in 1985. Their sound is pretty hip for three Minneapolis suburbanites and a transplanted New Yorker. Their latest hit single, "What's On Your Mind" is hot and a good representative of the European-style, technohop genre (a la New Order), but their incorporation of hip-hop and funk elements set them apart from other bands. The dominant and omni-present vocals on tunes like "What's On Your Mind", "Lay All Your Love On Me" and "Running" are strongly reminiscent of the Human League's lead singer, Phil Oakey. The band's image and sound relies heavily on electronic instrumentation - so what better person to produce their album than Fred Maher (member and co-producer of Scritti Politti) who also worked as a drummer and programmer with Kraftwerk? With strong support from Hispanic youth in the Latin hip-hop scene, Information. Society's first single, "Running," became a quick success, climbing to the top 10 on Billboard's Dance Chart and launching them towards their self- titled debut LP, "Information Society." Anyone who was a die- hard viewer of the now defunct Detroit dance show, The Scene ,is sure to remember the tune almost immediately upon hearing it. "Running" was co-produced by "Little" Louie Vega and The Latin Rascals. Anyone familiar with Latin hip hop knows that this group of producers are considered by many to be the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis of Latin hip hop, turning out danceable music and producing material for just about everybody and their brother. "Attitude" and "Something In The Air" definitely show their funk capabilities and the influence of James Brown. Listening to "Something In The Air" I could have sworn I heard licks from K.C. and The Sunshine Band's "That's The Way I Like It." Vocalist and "sampling See Society, Page 9 , .i, (. +L 4 as his newcomer p they fight a cosmic - l James Caan (left), as Earthling cop Sykes, and Mandy Patinkin Francisco take on an intergalactic "Just Say No"- campaign as1 in Alien Nation. Alien 0 Film gets BY MARK SHAIMAN Alien Nation. Alienation. It's a good double entendr an equally good thematic basi film. But the point of a d entendre is that it has two sid though Alien Nation is wor ing, it could have been much than that, had its plo overshadowed its message. In 1988, a spaceship fille aliens comes to Earth, and afte years of quarantine they are al to become part of society.F immediately arise between t minces won listracted from attack on mans and the "newcomers," making others are negatively it clear that the film is trying to downplaying the soc make a statement about the inanity which is already li of prejudice. relationship betwee e, and James Caan plays Sykes, a Los Sam. s for a Angeles police detective, and in the Even worse is the f double opening scene of the film, his Black villains are aliens. T es, and partner is shot to death by one of the who played the evil C th see- aliens. Not only was this man his the Superman film more partner, but also his best friend; yet, Satanic here. He po t not even before the killing occurs, Sykes comer entrepreneur: had already been ignorantly insulting citizen, but only for d with the "newcomers," whom he calls by sake. In truth, he is r three the contemptuous name of "slags." intends to profit by pr( llowed So why is there this divergence in that is overwhelming] Biases his character? There is no reason his people. This bl he hu- given because no reason exists, and powerful that it makes that is a well-made point.' like talcum powder. - In order to investigate the killing, The drug had alread Sykes takes on a new partner - a the fall of his people "newcomer," in fact. While he tries takes it as a personal to remain cold and aloof, Mandy to stop the retur Patinkin is so endearing as Sam Inevitably, the mur Francisco (pun intended), that the partner and the drug barrier not only breaks down, but nected; thus the p entirely disappears. Still, Sam and individual interest in his family are the only aliens we are case. When this plot given reason to like. Almost all the See Nat 4 s r/ partner Samn drug ring bias K depicted, thus ial statement; imited to thie n Sykes aids fact that all the erence Stamp, General Zod is s, is just as rtrays a new- and a model appearance's A ruthless, and oducing a drug ly addictive to; ue ooze is so ;s cocaine seem:; y nearly caused once, so Sam:E responsibility f ning threat. der of Sykes' ring are con- iartners have finishing the connection is F Lion, Page 9 Ever consider studying in... GERMANY - Tuebingen Exchange FRANCE - Lurcy Fellowship LONDON - London College Exchange ISRAEL - Hebrew University Exchange NORTHERN IRELAND - Queen's Exchange Applications for Study Abroad Programs for gradu- ate students for 1989-90 are now available!!! Deadline: November 4.1988 'or applications and information: The Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies Fellowship Office 160 Rackham Building 764-2218 O OPEN WIDE ! U ----- ----- Free Mouthguard Clinic Saturday , October 15, 1988 9:00 - 2:00 P.M. The Students and faculty of The UniversIty of Mcian School of Dentistry host Mouthguard Day A Custom made moih*guard will be fabricated free of charge (occasionaty a nouhguard cannot be made because of Indvdual mouth shapes. Evrone will be screened, and adviseas to whether or not one can be fabricated for them) Al ages are welcome Parkin Is available In the Fletcher St. parking lot. The University of Michigan School of Dentistry North University Ave. Ann Arbor, Michgan 48 104 Located on the corner of N. University and Fletcher St. PubIc may enter throu the mo entrance off North University, orthe entrance off Fletcher St. Considering the University of Michigan School of Education for graduate studies e Come to a meeting: Wed., Oct. 12, 6 p.m. Room 1322 (Tribute Room) School of Education Bldg. Faculty and staff will be available to answer questions about programs, financial aid opportunities, and admission requirements. To reserve a space, call: Office of Academic Services (313) 764-7563 1228 School of Education Bldg. A RTQCA RVED'1 CLASS RINGS mmmmmmm I I ME!) ER COMI NG ATTRACTIONS 1 NOW HIRING ASSOCIATES Looking for a job with VARIETY? One that ISN'T JUST ROUTINE? WELL, HAVE WE GOT A JOB FOR YOU! Meijer is opening a new store on Ann Arbor /Saline Road NEXT SPRING! We are NOW HIRING ASSOCIATES in the following departments; LOSS PREVENTION-DETECTIVES, COURTESY CLERKS SERVICE-CASHIERS MARKING/RECEIVING/LAYAWAY-CLERKS BUILDING SERVICES-CLERKS PAID TRAINING BEGINS IMMEDIATELY AT EXISTING STORES! We will also be HIRING ASSOCIATES for other departments throughout the store! / "'4 F t 7777, Onalih. 0 r . \.. U mm.-