Page 10-The Michigan Daily-Friday, March 26,1993
Husker Du
Everything Falls Apart and
More
Rhino Records
Bob Mould made a triumphant re-
turn to form last year with his new band
Sugar and their debut, "Copper Blue."
Inevitably, fans of Sugar will want to
hear Mould's previous band, the semi-
nal HuskerDu. Rhino Records has reis-
sued Husker Du's first studio album,
"Everything Falls Apart," along with
several early singles, demos, and out-
takes. Mould fans who only know
Sugar will beshockedby the sheerforce
of "Everything Falls Apart and More."
Originally, Husker Du was a hard-
core punk band known for their
blindingly fast performances, indeci-
pherable lyrics and righteous rage; that
band that recorded "Everything Falls
Apart." After acouple of albums the
band began growing by leaps and
bounds; their later albums showcase an
astonishing fusion of punk and pop.
"Everything Falls Apart," released ten
years ago, isn't as strong as any of their
later albums, yet it often hints at the
terrific songwriters Mould and drum-
mer Grant Hart would become.
"Wheels," "Target," "Everything
Falls Apart," "Gravity," and a relatively
faithful cover of Donovan's "Sunshine
Superman" prove that, while Husker
Du's hearts where devoted to punk, they
were still suckers for a strong melody.
The rapid, blistering attack of "Blah,
Blah, Blah," "Punch Drunk," "Brick-
layer" and "Afraid of Being Wrong,"
and the brevity of the album (19 min-
utes and 30 seconds) are more accurate
representations of early Husker Du.
Apart from both sides of the "In A Free
Land" single and the demo of "Do You
Remember?," the bonus tracks that fill
out the CD are only of interest to de-
voted followers of the band. Novices
should reach for "Warehouse: Songs
and Stories" first, or even "Copper
Blue," but those familiar with the band
will be delighted with the insights and
revelations available in this long out of
print material.
-Tom Erlewine
Bettie Serveert
Palomine
Matador Records
Alright people, it's time to shame-
lessly gush. I mean, there are albums
thatare good and all, but every couple of
blue moons comes one of those scarily
brilliant slabs of sonic beauty that reaf-
finns one'sfaith in music. Such as Bettie
Serveert's faboo debut, "Palomine."
This Dutch treat approaches stealth-
ily, sauntering up on your subconscious
like an aural lover. Brooding waves of
hash-saturated, pre-mod lovebuzz pull
you in head first. But it's the passion-
rich voice of Carol Lee Van Dijk that
sends your neurons into overdrive. On
tracks like the rollicking "Kid's All
Right," she wrings more heartfelt emo-
tion than most singers can muster on a
whole disc.
What also sets Bettie Serveert far
above their contemporaries is their
franily amazing songwriting ability.
Nearly every track here has the same
"sound" - dry guitars, flailing, unaf-
fected drums and charging basslines.
No fancy effects or studio trickery at all.
But I'll be damned if their pop-crazy,
Patti Smith on happy pills hooks don't
transcend the low-fiambiance andhave
you humming along incessantly. Imag-
ine an adolescent version of the Pre-
tenders covering songs from the Stone's
"Exile on Main Street" in a Neil Young
daydream. Then Play "Valentine"or
"Sundazed To The Core" and just try to
escape.
Yeah, "Palomine" seems to have it
all- tension, hooks, hip influences (they
cover Sebadoh's "Healthy Sick" quite
righteously) and a vocalist that pits
Chrissie Hynde against PJ Harvey with
the aforementioned Patti Smith's bless-
ing. More than my poor little heart can
handle.
Thanks guys, I needed that.
_Scott Sterling
BETTlESERVEERT opensfor proto-
punks SUPERCHUNK tonight at St.
Andrews Hall (431 E. Congress) in
Detroit. It's an all-ages show, and
doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are
$7.50 (in ddvance). Call 961-MELT
for more info.
LOVE
It seems to come
oniy when you least
In these comical
one-act operas love is
discovered in some
very surprising ways.
Why redo "La Femme Nikita?" To see Bridget Fonda's brilliant performance.
'Fenme Nikita returns
by Michael Thompson
Alright, okay, it's a remake. Now don't get excited. Remember "Cape Fear"
or"TheFly"? Those were good remakes; in fact, they were better than the original.
Now, granted I don't want to see another "Three men and little whatever" either,
but "La Femme Nikita" wasn't a cutsie kids' story. So just keep your pants on and
listen.
The story is exactly the same as the 1991 French film, "LaFemmeNikita."And
yes, that's a relief. A young, drugged-out punk is made into one hell of a super
assassin and then let loose on the world.Of course, we all know it's a long road
to schizophrenia, but we've only got two hours here. Fortunately the people
involved in the film realize this and do a fine job convincing us that the world ofh
the assassin is fun, but has severe drawbacks.
Bridget Fonda ("Single White Female") convincingly plays the tormented,
assassin. Her drugged-out punk is as disgusting as her prim and proper killer is
beautiful. Her moments of violence seems awkward at times, but it only adds to
the schizophrenia. Is this woman a killer, a punk or just a lost soul? The answer
constantly changes as she begins to un-
LM REVIEWderstand her job. The film challenges
Point of No Return Fonda and the audience with a confused
Directed by John Badham; written by character who is genuinely struggling
Robert Getchell and Alexandra Seros; with the immorality of her job.
with Bridget Fonda and Harvey Keitel. Director John Badham ("Saturday
Night Fever") handles his remake with
care, but doesn't overload it with Hollywoodisms or deep hidden meanings.There
are more dutch angles in this film than an episode of "Batman," but Badham
redeems himself with his clever druggie point-of-view lens.
Badham is basically filming "La Femme Nikita" again, only this time it's in
English. Some scenes are literally shot-for-shot the same. But this doesn't really
take away from the film, it just allows you to enjoy it in another language and with
other actors.
The only real changes in the script have to do with her boyfriend and her boss.
Although he is still a dork, the boyfriend (Dermot Mulroney) this time around has
funnier lines and is more of a real person. Mulroney shows how difficult it is to
love someone who has so many secrets. His anger is never overdone. But Gabriel
Byrne's Bob lacks the mysterious strength and love the original assassin boss
(Tcheky Karyo) had. The script makes him too sentimental and weak for his job.
The small joy of the movie is, big surprise, Harvey Keitel ("Bad Lieutenant")
as Victor the Cleaner. He only has about five spoken lines, but he commands the
screen as the agent from hell. His haircut looks really bad, but it's just part of his
no bullshit attitude. Victor is like the human Terminator. He is the deadliest and
most enjoyable character in the film.
So it's aremake, so what? It's still fun and entertaining. And they didn't change
the end. So if you haven't seen "La Femme" go check this out. If you have then
don't expect anything all that new, just enjoy the fact that you don't have to read
it this time.
POINT OF NO RETURN is playing at Showcase.
La Serva Padrona & The Boor
by Giovanni Pergolesi
by Dominick Argento
Conducted by Martin Katz
Directed by Joshua Major
Tickets are $14 and $10
Charge by phone: 764-0450
Student seating is $6 with ID
at the League Ticket Office
Mendelssohn Theatre
Mar 25 - 27 at 8 PM
Mar 28 at 2 PM
U-M SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Opera Theatre
University Symphony Orchestra
~i1
lecations
Creative Ideas a Macintosh Express
Iv
Look for it in the
Cl assii )d
(they really work!)"
-1
Sion
I
.,
Spring Pre-Season Sale!
Tents, Sleeping Bags,
Hiking Boots, Packs,
Raingear, Sleeping Pads
off
10Om OoGIGSale ends March 28
ALL TRAVEL PACKS FOR EUROPE
10% OFF
All Moss Tents-15% off
All North Face Tents & Sleeping Bags-10-40% off
All Sierra Design Sleeping Bags-10% off
All Eureka Tents-10-40% off
patagonia Marmot DANAa MEKL
PDESIGN AMEIGROR E LL
4A NMmiT MhREST
On Saturday, 3/27, factory representatives will be
on hand from our finest manufacturers to present
- w. . _-.w& * 0 . __ r . - I 34 #Ud~inn
So you bought a Macintosh...
....come see what it can do...e
\Ners
" ye p
See a hands-on display of Macintosh
creativity done by your peers
In the Computer Showcase-
Ground Floor, Michigan Union
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