The Michigan Daily - FridaySeptember 12, 1997 - 11 catty Larkin's strange 'Fruit' perishes amid too much tranquility Patty Larkin Perishable Fruit High Street Records pects l Cockbu The a quirks; about (o ,though chronologically a member beings, o he "new folk" movement, Patty coda of Larkin is clearly uncomfortable among Mirror" the new, angrier breed of Washburn- sheer er wielding sirens. In fact, the most potent cerity o bit of poetic sniping on "Perishable of kno Fruit" is aimed not at a treacherous ex where buta gren colleague: "Go right ahead, "Perisha you're the star, you can hang i your sweaty little black feather dress right on my guitr. I said - my, big eyes you have, what big teeth, what tattoos... "This outburst is, however, a woefully rare exception in an album so traquil it makes Suzanne Vega sound like Ani DiFranco. Tranquility by itself doesn't hurt, th h; the air of polished, streamlined Calvi ss ndarity does. Larkin's songwriting Dress is somewhat lackadaisical, and her Folk Ampheta 101 chording is not exactly helped by a pretentious, "ambient" production *C** inspired perhaps by Daniel Lanois' work on Dylan's "Oh Mercy." The lyrics Just are chock-a-block with clumsy Krime metaphors like "you aim your mouth at future. me like you're pointing a gun," and the sound a attempts at modern detail (mentioning edgines cell phones and the Internet) puzzle at cessful b"Usual icons get invoked - Greta meets C Q o, James Dean - and usual sus- sible wa STRATFORD Continued from Page 10 Crombie's Romeo isn't a hero- F moreover, he serves as the wimpy l anext-door, and the love that Juliet *o isT pposed to have for him doesn't seem real. Day as Juliet also proves wrong, as her childlike voice makes the fourteen year old heroine seem an immature 10. Shakespeare's comedy "The Taming of the Shrew" is mildly enter- taining and at times, somewhat dull. The middle portion of the play moves slowly,. but this production does ii ide hysterical highlights. It is c mmended that this play be read before seeing it onstage, for confu- sion abounds for the unknowing indi- vidual. Presented in classic Greek style F using long robes and Greek tragedy masks, the production of "Oedipus Rex" serves as one of the best things that the festival has to offer - good _ Sntepretations of classic drama. hocles' drama is still alive today Sause productions like this are still offered. As an added bonus, the com- pyny presents a 15-minute satire play n .comial mime style before the tual play begins, addressing the often-ov rlooked silliness of Yedipus's tragedy. Sean O'Casey's tragedy "Juno and "he Paycock" surrounds a family infested by the evils of revolution fol- lowing the plight of Ireland's Easter rising of 1916. The family is torn aart as their socio-economic status dwindles. The accents are strong and real. Again, it is recommended that hOs play also be read beforehand in order to fully appreciate the artistry that brings this live performance to ljfe. First rate acting is what keeps this production enjoyable as well as enlightening. Adapted for the stage by Marisha 0amberlain from Louisa May Alcott's novel, the production of "Little Women" proves another dis- appointment because it leaves so much out of the endearing story of the ; March sisters and their family. Juvenile performances are given by juvenile actors, which cannot save the sinking story. Sitting through this play can be painful, so hallucinogens would help, but are not recommended ey're illegal and dangerous). - he city of Stratford, Ontario is located three hours by car from Detroit. For directions to the city and the theaters, as well as a schedule of the remaining season and box office information, call the Stratford Festival at (800) 567-1600 or (519) 271-4040. ike Jane Siberry and Bruce rn clutter up the thank-you list. lbum is not entirely without its Larkin seems fond of talking or even to) her limbs as separate for instance. The long, scornful fthe 7-minute-plus "Rear View also manages to pull you in by motion. But every flicker of sin- r whimsy got buried under hours b-twisting calculation some- in the way; on arrival, able Fruit" feels about as organ- c as a waxen store-window replica. - Michael Zilberman "Dress for the Future" has a satisfying Moog synth undercurrent that hums through your speakers and into your gut like a hive of bees. This atmosphere has sundry expressions on the album. The warbling distortion of "Aegis Shaker" combines with spooky bass and straight ahead '80s hairballad guitar progressions and solid drumming to make one of the finest non-lyrical songs to ever grace a harsh album. "Brand New Jason," on the other hand, is a chorusless tank of a song that rolls over the listener like the evil scaretime story that it is: "Once a year I'm immobilized / I scream but it doesn't help." They all shake you. Don't be fooled by the apparent fash- ion consciousness of Calvin Krime. When they say to dress for the future, they want something different, just like they are. - Ted Watts Dub War Pain Earache Records ** Dub War: Socially conscious reggae kinda singer, hardcore band. Their new album "Pain" is as tired as their concept is. If you've seen one Dub War or Orange 9mm or Bad Brains, you've more or less seen all you've needed to. It's not exactly a bad album, it's simply n Krime For the Future amine Reptile like Max Headroom, Calvin are about 10 minutes into the A mix of the overdone indie nd a generous portion of metal s combine in a surprisingly suc- way. Sort of like Pavement annibal Corpse, in the best pos- ay. Bonnie Raitt? No, it's folk singer Patti Larkin, whose album "Perishable Fruit" makes Suzanne Vega sound like AnI DiFranco. completely unsurprising after two or with the threadbare whine constantly "Pain" is not so bad. But if you make three songs. overlaying them, it's virtually impos- the mistake of listening closely, you'll Oh, the music is fine. Guitars a- sible to feel anything good towards be another innocent victim of another thrustin' with some violent yet the instrumentation. annoying War. smooth beats backing them up. But If you don't pay too close attention, - Ted Watts "it's a late ulle feature..." The Coffee House Series 8 pm The Rocky Horror Picture Show Live Music and Comedy Acts i s 11pm$7.00 adults Private Parts $5.00 students, * M$3.00 for children under 12, or em under 5, FREE Call or email uclub.programs@umich.edu for weekly update of U-Club events on the frstt fl oooeMinigan Union - - M a w&SAVaI WdN ~f WWO ~".....t With the Sprint FONCARV, you get the power to call nights and weekends for only a dime. Ii k