1OA -The Michigan Daily -Monday, October 14, 1996 The Ocean Blue drowns with plain new album The Ocean Blue See the Ocean Blue Mercury Records ** Ho hum. The Ocean Blue was once an inventive pop band, making beauti- ful, ethereal music that combined '80s' synthesizers with '90s' jangly guitar so seamlessly that often it all sounded like one instrument. Singer David Schlezel added his Morrissey-esque whine to create sonic landscapes that really were alternative. But now, they sound just like every other let's-sell- our-pain band that tries to make an epic and miserably fails. "See the Ocean Blue" is by no means a bad album, but it is also by no means a dis- tinctive album. I tLJ~I'%W1T I What happened? The only explana- tion to offer is that they weren't selling. Granted, a group needs to make a living and broaden its musical base, but that doesn't mean it has to sacrifice its vision. To be fair, there are some good songs here. "Behind" is an ominous, sad ballad in 3/4 time that will bring tears to all who listen. "Bitter," the best bet for a hit, may be a half-heart- ed attempt to be Nirvana, but it sure is catchy. And "Bye" has an irresistible sha-la-la cho- rus that recalls both the Chills and the Monkees, if that is at all possi- ble. In fact, one can play spot-the-influ- ence with virtually all of the songs, which is of course the problem. The Ocean Blue is trying to be everyone but itself, and it will have to change that if it wants to avoid eternal condemnation to the discount bins. There is absolutely nothing alternative about this disc - stick with the group's excellent 1989 self-titled album (you can proba- bly find it for $3.99 some- where with an "over- stock" sticker on it) and you'll be much happier. - Mark Feldman Fastball Make Your Mama Proud Hollywood Records Another generic "alternative" rock band. Woo-hoo! Fastball definitely does not break any ground with their debut "Make Your Mama Proud," but what with the university's best staff and world class law students at: LAWYERS CLUB DINING SERVICES " start at $6.50/hr. " great meal benefits * super-flexible schedules " central location * catering opportunities! apply in person or call now at 764-1115 551 5. State St. where se at. meets Madison These guys are very blue. I.H - mlii b i - I a A - A / GRILL All the Italian you need to know. Com Jon the Macrn l Tem! DESIGN YOUR OWN HATS ON THE WEB. www.stitchtime.com Also, check out our line of Major and Minor League Pro Teams Don't gamble with your ride home for the holidays! Go for a sure thing-an ad in The Michigan Daily Classified's Homeward Bound page for only $10! We thw etn eadtio willhet tkiong dsfor from Oct. 14-25 in our offices at 420 Maynard or over the phone at 764-0557. separates it from a lot of the crap out there is that it's really catchy and fun to listen to. The biggest problem that Fastball has is too many influences. Songs like "Make Your Mama Proud" recall power pop like Rocket From the Crypt. "Back Door" and "Altamont" sound like something Urge Overkill would do. "Are You Ready For the Fallout," featur- ing Matthew Sweet on polymoog, is an acoustic, southern-flavored rock tune. Other songs like "Human Torch," "Emily," and "Seattle" are just plain silly jaunts that bring back memories of early '60s rock and something like a cross between the Pixies and the Police, if that's even possible. That's the prob- lem: Nothing on this album sounds remotely original, so it will probably do real well on the radio. Don't look for too much meaning from Fastball and don't look at "Make Your Mama Proud" for anything ne%* If you see it for a couple bucks, make Fastball's mamas proud and maybe pick it up and listen to it. If not, make your mama proud and save your money. - Colin Bartos NOW HIRING ALL POSITIONS You provide the wings, SEI will provide the sky. SEI OFFERS THE KIND OF OPPORTUNITY AND CHALLENGE THAT MAKES CAREERS SOAR. OPPORTUNITY AND CHALLENGE YOU RE NOT LIKELY TO FIND AT OTHER CONSULTING FIRMS OR CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTS. SEI HAS OVER A QUARTER-CENTURY OF SOLID HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE HELPING LEADING CORPORATIONS SOLVE THEIR MOST CRITICAL BUSINESS PROBLEMS. THIS MEANS SEI CONSULTANTS DEVELOP AND APPLY BOTH CUTTING EDGE TECHNICAL AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS. WE DON'T OFFER STATIC SALARIES AND VAGUE PROMISES OF YEAR-END BONUSES, BUT INSTEAD PROVIDE GENEROUS COMPENSATION FOR EVERY HOUR WORKED. AND SEI'S CORPORATE PRESENTATION AND LEAVE KNOWING THIS IS THE COMPANY WHERE YOUR CAREER WILL TAKE FLIGHT. OCTOBER 17, 1996, 6:00PM-8:0PM RooM 1001 EECS SANDWICHES WILL BE SERVED INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONDUCTED ON OCTOBER 18, 1996 IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL THE FOLLOWING NUMBER (313) 764-8483 SE information technology http://www.sei-it.com AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER FOOD SERVERS GREETERS BAKERS SERVICE SUPPOR' BARTENDERS DISIIWASHERS OPERA SINGERS COOKS- Broiler, Saute, Pizza, Pantry, Sa/ad & Prep FULL & PART TIME FEXIBLE SCHEDULES GREAT BENEFITS including: tuition assistonce program. paid vacations, insurance pion. top train- ing plus growth potential & excellent working atmosphere! APPLY IN PERSON lon-Fri 9am-6pm & Sat 9am-Noon at: 3010 S. State in Ann Arbor Don't let your ride home leave Deadline is Oct. 25 at 4 p.m. Be sure to stoP by our table in the Fishbowl from 10 a.m.-4 P.m. on Oct. 21, 22, and 23. You in the dust! 12 Sponsored by: ARMY ROTC Thursday October 17 4:00 pm Contact: North Hall COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Thursday October 17 through Saturday October 19 Contact: Linda Rider SCHOOL OF BUSINESSv ADMINISTRATION Friday October 18 and Saturday October 19 Contact: Mary L. Perrydore Phone: 763.5775 COLLEGE OF PHARMACY For the Classes of 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 198, and 1991 Friday October 18 and Saturday October 19 Contact: The College of Pharmacy NC.> e:31 sh oodColiee. events may not be open to the Cul , rsmeyri e qu re e-egstato Look for more events & specific info to come in the Michigan Daily! r sh. CAnrton& G&4e PFut7/a Friday October 18' Hill Auditorium 7:30 pm Saturday October 19 Tailgate at the Track & Tennis Building: Featuring Bo Schembechler 10:00 am p V Sponsored by: NAACP Thursday October 17 Cobblestone Farms, 2781 Packard 10:00 pm Contact: Loren McGhee 528.0540 Thursday October 17 Dedication of the Lurie Tower, Music & Light show at 9:00 pm Friday October 18 Parade down S.University to S.State to , N.University to the Power Center 6:00 pm Featurina Men's and Saturday October 19 Michigan Stadium Kickoff 12:30 pm qI RFooe i N ~ode Val% M 1. 1 A "The night shines in black & silver" Sponsored by: The African American Programminc Task Force Saturday October 19 Power Center 8:00 pm -1:00 am Featuring: Hustle Contest Ms. Jazzy Press & Mr. GQ Contests and much more! Attire: Semi-formal, masquerade masks nrnidAd. refrshments served 01 Women's Glee Club, Michigan Pep band, Orbitron, bouncy boxing, and Velcro Fly Wall E !~ I