The Michigan Daily -Friday, September 10, 1993 -19 BOOKS Continued from page 16 can not merely have "access" to a Nintendo, you actually have to own one. This is why children nag their parents tobuy them their own Nintendo, Which Sheff himself describes. While b5ids do talk to one another about Nintendo, they only do so with other Nintendoowners. These friendships are often based solely on Nintendo owner- ship. The Nintendo "cult" encourages children to pick their friends based on what they own, not who they are. This is hardly something we should applaud, as Sheff does. Sheff. is equally uncritical of Nintendo's alleged racism. In 1990, employees of Nintendo of America, Nintendo's U.S. operation, charged NOA with racial discrimination. NOA officials denied these charges saying that the company "employed 110 ethnic minorities, a number representing 14.3 percent of the permanent work force. (The percentage included all minori- ties, including Japanese)" [emphasis added]. Sheff is content to accept NOA's denials. He does not cite what positions these employees held or how many of them were Japanese, even though he could have learned these things when he interviewed NOA's top managers or when he visited NOA's Seattle head- quarters. Sheff simply does not push Nintendo hard enough. Sheff's uncritical stance makes "GO" a dull read. Unless you really like Nintendo or big business, "GO" may not hold your interest until the end. - Oliver Giancola RECORDS Contihued from page 17 "So being your woman is the same as being your maid?/Well you better re- think that, honey child." Whetherthey'reeasing through clas- sics or trying out their new material, the members of Back Porch Blues create a relaxed ambience uncommon on "new" blues records. All that's missing is the creak of the chairs on the porch, and while studio polish is detectable, it's not by any means overwhelming. If this is back to basics, more power to them. -Dirk Schulze Swell Get Highthe Price Spirit/Psycho Specific Records Swell is an airy alternative group with little talent, assuming the songs on this 45 are indicative of the bands over- all work. The a-side, "Get High," is the more listenable track because of its happy pop feel. It also features strained vocals, insipid drug-culture lyrics, and uninspiringly monotonous music. The music consists mainly of a repetitive bass line, a repetitive drum part, and a pair of erratically included yet still re- petitive guitar riffs. And still it is much easier to listen to than "The Price." This is unfortunate because it is theoretically abetter song than the a-side-the lyrics are more intelligent, it is more musi- cally intricate, and the vocals are far less strained. Somehow its problems con- geal to form a worse song than "Get High," particularly the cheesy acoustic riff and the abrupt end of the song. Ignore Swell. - Ted Watts Einstein's Dreams Alan Lightmany Pantheon Books Imagine a world in which time flows backward. How would your percep- tionsbedifferent? AlanLightman'snew book "Einstein's Dreams" is an inter- esting interpretation of how different properties of time would change our lives. Alan Lightman is professor of Physics and Writing at the Massachu- setts Institute of Technology. He has several books under his belt, but "Einstein's Dreams" is his first work of fiction. "Einstein'sDreams" begins with the famous physicist getting ready to sub- mit his theory of time to the German Journal of Physics. He has become ob- sessed by the properties of time. His feverish work has left him physically and mentally exhausted. He has been plaguedby frequentdreams. "Einstein's Dreams" isachronologyof these dreams stretching from April 14th to June 28th, 1905. Each chapter describes a separate possible characteristic of time. Forexample, the firstdream on April 14th illustrates how life would be af- fected by a world in which time was circular. In this world every event has happened an infinite number of times in the past and the future is an exact repeat of the past. Every success, triumph, and pleasure a person experiences will hap- pen again. Lightman writes, "In the world in which time is a circle, every handshake, every kiss, every birth, ev- ery word, will be repeated precisely." "Each dream is a description of a possible world based on different prop- erties of time. The possibilities include: time as a sense, time with three dimen- sions or time as a visible dimension. Ligltman writes about how the differ- -ent possibilities affect people, society and nature. As these are Albert'sdreams, each example centers around turn of the century Germany. "Einstein's Dreams" is noteworthy for its superb European feel. Lightman' s writing is crisp, clean and exciting. Moreover, Lightman is able to give difficult concepts flesh and blood. He illustrates how different characteristics of time alter the relationship between mother and son, lovers, enemies or classes. He describes worlds in which work, society, religion, families and politics are different and unfamiliar. There are few criticisms of "Einstein's Dreams." Because it is di- vided into separate and unrelated chap- ters, it lacks the easy flow of conven- tional fiction. However, these divisions make it excellent for short reading stretches when you are on the bus or between classes. In addition, "Einstein's Dreams" doesnotinclude enough about Einstein. He was a fascinating man, and the book would be better if it had more details abouthis early life. Moreover, thereader never discovers which of the dreams constitute Einstein's theory. Which dreams apply to this world? "Einstein's Dreams" is an outstand- ing and original novel. Lightman is able to capture the essence of drastically differing realities and relate them to our world. His descriptive technique is ex- cellent and his writing is superb. "Einstein'sDreams"compelsthereader to contemplate how time significantly structures and influences our world. Not bad for a novel. - Scott Plamondon Used CD's controversy heats up as record companies ban together By JESSIE HALLADAY Used compact discs have inundated the market and that is just the way retailers and customers like it. But ma- jor record companies would like to end this new trend in music buying. In an effort to curtail the sale of used CDs, record companies are refusing advertising to retailers who continue to deal in resale. And the retail community is angry. Fron the consumer's point of view, many don'tknow what the record com- panies are doing. "What I think is unfortunate is that most consumers aren't aware of it (the controversy)," said Thom Goodwin of West Bloomfield. "If they (record com- panies) keep used CDs out of stores it's a way of controlling prices." Goodwin buys two or three CDs aweek, both new and used. "Whatbothers me most is thatrecord companies think they can do this and bypass the customer in the equation," he said. Retailers concur. 'We feel what they are trying to do is wrong," said Roman Kotrys, owner of the three store chain Repeat the Beat and co-founder of the Independent Music Retailers' Association (IMRA). Four of the six major record compa- nies have joined in the fight, which, according to Kotrys, began when the Wherehouse Record chain based in California began selling used CDs. WEA, CEMA, Uni and Sony Music take exception. It doesn'tcome as asurprise that the companies want used CD sales stopped because they don't make money off the sale and neither do the artists. Don't forget to come to the Michigan Daily Mass Meeting on either TiLursday, September 16th at 7:30 p.m. or Monday, September 20th at 8:00 p.m. at 420 Maynard But Kotrys says that the company and artist have already been paid from the first sale so there is no problem with reselling it. The record companies claim that the sale of used CDs diminishes the quality of the product they are trying to market. "They're saying that we are dimin- ishing the value of the product," said Kotrys. "But what about compact disc clubs where you can get eight CDs for a penny?" Companies also claim that used CDs hinder artists just breaking in. But re- tailers maintain that it really helps the new artists because people feel freer to experiment when they don't have to spend as much money. "Record companies use stores like ours to break new artists," said Kotrys, "and by not using us, they'll be shoot- ing themselves and the artists in the back." Some believe that the record com- panies are the cause of the popularity of used CDs - by keeping the cost of the discs so high, they are actually forcing consumers to find an alternate route. 'They brought it on themselves," said Steve Minter, owner of the Disc Connection in Troy. "Consumer prefer- ence is there for used. People are tired of paying $14-15 for CDs." 'With CDs, more and more people are turning to used because they don't scratch upaseasily,"saidLornaKuschel, manager of Solo Records, CDs and Tapes in Bloomfield Hills, "and they get more sounds for their money." But not everyone is putting up a fight.CDWarehousein WestBloomfield. is discontinuing its used CD service in an attempt to comply with the record, companies. "The only way to pass along savings to the customers is to continue to buy from the manufacturers," said Larry Grodsky, manager of CD Warehouse. "The only thing we can do to maintain the best relationship (with themanufac- Curers) is to do what they ask." But the majority of used CD dealers do not intend to stop selling. However, not all are optimistic that they will be successful in their fight. "Anytime you get that much powei' unified," said Minter, "they're going to be tough to beat. The-could care less about the mom-and-pop corner record store. "Somewhere down the line, they may extinguish the little business." VIOLIN LESSONS Beginning through Advanced. Doctorate from U of M. 20 Years Experience. Near Central Campus. For More Info. 663-8392 Vince Neil Exposed. Warner Brothers Vince Neil, former screamer of Motley Crue, has managed to put to- gether a solid hard rock album for his first solo release. If you loved Motley Crue's "Girls, Girls, Girls" or "Dr. Feelgood" albums, you'll more than likely love Neil's "Exposed." As far as the music goes, this is better than any Motley Crue album. Of course there are a couple of ballads that are sure to be hits, but most of the songs don't seem to be custom made for the pop charts. A lot of these songs have teeth. The playing style of lead guitarist Steve Stevens (Billy Idol's former gui- tarist/songwriting partner) alone adds a good flavor to each song. Stevens is still the king of guitar effects. The best part about Stevens is that he canjust as easily play razor blade, head banging metal guitar as he can play classical or jazz guitar (all three styles appear on this album). I can only hope that other hard rock guitarists follow his example of diversity in the future. Vince Neil's dis- tinctive voice is as good as ever. With songwriting partners such as Jack Blades (ex-bassist for Night Ranger, now inDanneYankees), Tommy Shaw (ex-guitarist for Styx, also in Damn Yankees), Phil Soussan (Ozzy Osbourne's bassist around the "Ulti- mate Sin" days), and Steve Stevens, Vince's lyrics aren't too bad on "Ex- posed." Most of the songs focus on sex and women, but that is probably for the best. Nobody would seriously swallow any sort of Michael Jackson "Heal the World" from this blondie. It would be nice to see what Neil could write on his own without the experience of Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars (Motley Cre's songwriting team, more or less) or the previously mentioned co-songwriters on "Exposed" to serve asacrutch. Don't hold your breath. -Jim Whitaker Craig Chaquico Acoustic Highway High Octave Music Craig Chaquico (cha-key-so), the lead guitarist for Jefferson Airplane makes his solo instrumental debut with "Acoustic Highway." No, this isn't another Joe Satriani or Steve Vai album full of cold, showboat guitar wizardry. This album is a treat for the ears of those who love to listen to an acoustic guitar being played with a lot of emotion. Yes, there are some effects used on his guitar here and there by Chaquico, but he uses them scarcely. If you've been listening to Tanger- ine Dream or other new age artists who tend to use synthesizers and drum ma- chines, give this album a shot. This album is alive and breathing throughout its delightful acoustic journey. It is ex- cellent study or "vegetating" music. - Jim Whitaker k NEW VIDEO * NEW VIDEO * NEW VIDEO I"LEGAL" MARLTUJANA I WATERBED ACCESSORIES v _IN HOLLAN 0l r { - .1U/1 1i "WE ARE NOT CRIMINALS" * AllADDED I THE DUTCH MORAL MAJORITY SPEAK *A L OTIONLESS A 70 MINUTE VIDEO EXPLORATION OF DUTnCH SOCIETY AFTER YEARS OF ALMOST - LEGAL MARUUANA.TRESSES DUTCH WORKING PEOPE. BOTh POT USERS AND ON- PROTECT YOUR MIND WITH ACCURATE INFORMATION NNHATCEPOUTOStI&CammAMAIL ORDERS: SEND S 16.95 CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO : W T R E sun*i 1a"Dept"DMIWAaTIEBeEhDIeiAa 33141GALLERY NEW VIDEi1* NEW VIDEO *.NEW VIDEO 3999 teaw a US-23 PROGRAMMER /SYSTEMS ANALYST (Part Time) The Office of Orientation is accepting applications from students interested in working in a complex computing environment. Gain experience in Basic, Pascal, and/or any other high level language required. Experienced programming in Dbase, FoxPro, or other related database application is highly desirable. This is a work-study position, but applications from non-work-study students may be considered. Applications and complete job description are available at the Office of Orientation located in Room 3011 of the Student Activities Building. Hours 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. DON'T AN C YOU CAN YF LLTIAKE THEGRE Think you missed the Graduate Record Exam deadline? Relax. With the new on-demand GRE, you could be taking the test as early as tomorrow. u a.