8 - The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, February 18, 1997 Writer Matthews to appear on campus Py Jessica Eaton For the Daily William Matthews, known for his personal, abstract poetry, will be read- ing from his latest book, "Time and Money," today as part of the University Visiting Writers Series. Winner of the 1995 National Book Ctitics' Circle Award for Poetry, Matthews' 10th collection covers a wide range of subjects, including Ronald Reagan, Babe Ruth, Bob Marley and his own personal life. He offers a slightly cynical view of the world, yet he portrays it with truth and an unusual innocence. Though perhaps not well-known to students, Matthews is definitely an hon- ored figure in the poetry world. He has taught at universities and writers' con- ferences across America, and is current- ly a professor of English at the City College of the City University of New York. He has served on the board of the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship and the Poetry Society of America, and is a winner of a PR Fellowship and a Wlhi Rockefeller Foundation Residency in Italy. He is also a two- time winner of the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship. "Time and Money" is the product of five years of work. Matthews speaks of the two themes in his writing, stating that "time wastes us, and time saves and buys us / that time spends us, and time marks and kills us," and that money is "not an abstraction / it's math with con- sequences.' These are the two universal obsessions of the human race, and Matthews attempts to capture the true ar R S10% off all chemical services 15% off hair weaves 12 Thompson St. 995-5733 (near corner of Liberty) SALON emotions of these two presences in our lives. The first poem in Matthews' work, "Grief" introduces the book on a pow- erful note with the E V I E W lines "But none of us slows down for m Matthews scorn / there's Today at 4 p.m. someone's misery Rackham Amphitheater in all we earn ... Free And I have told you this to make you grieve." The work maintains the same power throughout, as Matthews explores the lives of a wide variety of characters. He writes of a scavenging .bear, of the cheap seats in the Cincinnati Gardens and of a failed marriage; he approaches them all with the same sincere, honest point of view. His work is revealing and insightful as he ponders memory and life. Kevin Walker of the Detroit Free Press refers to William Matthews as "one of this country's most fluent and satisfying poets;" Matthews' writing often appears to come from a slightly dejected perspective, yet is extremely witty and compassionately sympathetic to the daily frustrations of the world. As he says, "You must release as much of this hoard / as you can, little by little, in perfect time / as the work of the body becomes a body of work." Wlico's -Being There" Is another great record for the country-rock band, Wilco shines on new disc I wino Being There Reprise On "Being There," Wilco's second album, singer/songwriter Jeff Tweedy takes his audience on tour, offering a unique and intensely personal window to the life of a rock star. In a sprawling 75 minutes of music - 19 songs spread over two CDs - the journey covers vast terrain. It is a record about love and lon ng, disconnection and disaffec- tion, ego and the drug of stardom. The range of emotions and themes explored are equalled by the array of influences: Echoes of the "Sticky Fingers"-era Rolling Stones; old-time An invitation to students w I _. country and bluegrass in "Someday Soon" and "Forget the Flowers"; Beatlesque experimentation a ]a tiS white album; harmonies reminiscent of the Beach Boys; Tweedy's unpolished and desperately honest vocal style that at times recalls Neil Young or Paul Westerberg but is ultimately all his'own. Perhaps most interesting, one dears only shades of the "alternative country" sounds of Tweedy's former band, Uncle Tupelo, the cult favorite and critics' dar- ling that splintered in two: Tweed drummer Ken Coomer and multi-instr mentalist Max Johnston (since replaced by Bob Egan of Freakwater), formed Wilco with guitarist/pianist Jay Bennett and bassist John Stirratt; the departed Jay Farrar formed Son Volt. In the inter- im, Wilco has traded Uncle Tupelo's pedal steel, mandolin, and fiddle for organ and piano; the plains, hills, and small towns for bright lights and big cities; it even seems, at times, as if they've swapped roots for schlock. The album's first trac9 "Misunderstood," begins with a nearly unlistenable cacophony of dissonance and feedback that serves as a stick of dynamite to destroy anyone's preconcep- tions for the record before slowly fading into a soft, melodic verse: "When you're back in your old neighborhood / the cig- arettes taste so good / but you're so mis- understood." The second CD begins on a similar note, with Tweedy even mRn pointedly addressing those fans wh would call him the Messiah of the "alter- native country" movement: "There is no sunken treasure / rumored to be / wrapped inside my ribs:" Later in the seven-minute magnum opus of catharsis he sings, "Music is my savior / but I was named by rock 'n' roll;' before the song explodes into a barely controlled climax. Tweedy'sjourney is long and winding, and ultimately for the listener, rich rewarding. "Being There" is a accomplished artistic statement and a testament to Tweedy's undeniable claim as a leading songwriter. "Being There" is one of the most engaging, intelligent, and ambitious records in recent memory. - Anders Smith-Lindall '7 0 -o Vent 1997 t n For mor! information call 764-2492 MICHIGAN EME phone: 663.5804 1140 south university (above goodtime chadeys) mon.-thurs.: 9:00a-10:00p sunday: ! fri. & sat.: 9:00x-11.:00p 11:oog-8: ov r se 0t our AS tim -0 5 1r 4 &OO4 5k Oils a rT Ii' JJOl.04%A do or) our live perFom~nce \ The Least Expensive Way To Travel in Michigan , o\rrow !b. \997 't o._J Hands Down. :. U THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS Factoru Showroom I Amtrak Companion Fares: Two ride for the price of one*. Now is a great time to travel to Chicago, Detroit or any charming town in between. Just bring your companion and he/she rides FREE on any Amtrak Michigan train from January 13th through February 28, 1997. Get your ticket today! Ann Arbor to Chicago: You $27 * Companion $0 , . ~ ' * v F 1 w -:I I