Music; Madonna Maverick/Warner Bros. By Chris Cousino Daily Arts Writer "Hey Mister DJ/put a record on/I wanna dance with my baby." With the opening words of the title track of Music, Madonna's latest foray into the world of electronica, the pop queen spells. out exactly what her mission is - the lady wants to dance, and groove she will. With tons of clicks, beeps and zooms, Madonna flings herself right into special effects and electronics, under the direction of Mirwais Ahmadzai and William Orbit (the mastermind behind the smash suc- cess Rai of Light). The main differ- ence with Ray of Light is that Music is a full-fledged leap into the elec- tronic pool instead of the brief dip she took with RaY of Light. Gone are the pop tunes disguised with techno ambience and pulsing beats. The simple complexity of Music holds nothing back from try- ing to be a mainstream techno record as her retro youth voice breaks in both pitch and octave (through the aid of a computer). Skips, drum machines, filters and generated effects push the album along at. full force, and even Madonna seems to (et lost a little in the barrage of beats (especially "Impressive Instant"). But fans and friendly listeners don't fret: Music is a Madonna album and her trademark sound is gleefully evident on such soon-to- be-hits "Runaway Lover," a moody cyclone trip or the "Beautiful Stranger" cousin "Amazing," both produced by Orbit. Music is fun and Madonna seems to be enjoying her- self, even amongst the quiet, acoustic guitar riffs and keyboardslof "I Deserve It." Madonna's 1Iusic could become the dance album for the rest of the year, or she may find her fans turned off by the full-frontal changeover into electronica. Even the title may feel a little bizarre: Is it supposed to be pretentious or just simply what it says? Madonna's marriage with this new electronic sound (and the pend- ing one with eclectic filmmaker Guy Ritchie) seems like a right fit for the once Material Girl Now entering the post-'90s digital age, she has trans- formed into a woman, a mother and maybe a wife. But the gal still wants to dance. Grade: B+ Music For People, VAST; Elektra By Justin Mann For the Daily Visual Audio Sensory Theater, also known as VAST, released their second album, Music For People, on Sep. 12. A little like U2, a tad like Collective Soul, nothing like def metal pioneer, Morbid Angel. Influenced by the Beatles and the Police, the sounds of VAST are a wonderful blend of blaring and relaxed. Some of the lyrics could use work, but the distinct voice of Californian vocal- ist/guitarist Jon Crosby is pretty impressive and definitely brings a great deal to each of the twelve songs on this album. Crosby is not alone though, he is backed by a trio of talented musicians in Californian drummer Steve Clark, Australian bassist Thomas Froggatt and guitarist Rowan Robertson. A gifted and artistic group, VAST creates many superb musical arrangements to accompany the vocal melodies :f Crosby. One may think that the addition of an orchestra to a band of this type just would not work, but this band man- ages to find a vay to intertwine a sym- phony with distorted guitars in a hand- ful of harmonious tracks. Grade: B Mardev Caws talking during the verses "Hands up who thinks it's now?" Matthew Caws asks on the opening track of Nada Surf's second album, The Proxinitv Effect. Caws' words serve as a melodious prayer to the Rock Gods. He is crying out to an invisible savior, hoping he will come wielding the guitar that will clean the crap out of music today. The Proximity Efect, however, will not usher in the next wave that Caws may be hoping for, as Nada Surf brings their ultra-clever pop to an extremely small fan base. The album opens strong, launching itself at listeners with the ambitious "Hyperspace," a guitar driven song with a catchy lead riff. "Dispossession" revisits the song structure of "Popular," with and a break out (although signifi- cantly less witty) chorus. Not without their own motives, Nada- Surf come out swinging at the sexual offenders of the world with two songs focused on the topic. "Mothers Day" is incredi- bly abrasive, telling the personal tale of a rape. The record closes brilliantly with "Robot," a song that re-iterates the rape themes mentioned in "Mothers Day." The Proximitv Effect is an excellent record, a mature sopho- more outing for the trio. There aren't any radio hits lurking in the songs on the back sleeve and mainstream radio unfortu- nately has no room for the 'unpopular' anymore. Grade: B+ Bootleg: Detroit; Morphine; ly three minutes long, the album is still Rykodisc Records satisfying and complete from begin- ning to end, as a full concert should be. By Gautam Baksi Recorded by a fan on March 7, 1994 at Daily Arts Writer St. Andrew's Hall near Detroit, the recording found its way into Sandman's Bootleg: Detroit is Morphine's first, hands, who eventually edited and and incidentally last, live release after mixed the work for a future release. six studio albums spanning eight years. The song selection from the show is Vocalist and saxophonist Mark surprising and mixed with banter Sandman, the leader of the Morphine between the band and audience. trio, died of a heart attack in 1999. Popular hits from "Like Swimming" , ' Bootleg is of little interest to the passing and "Cure for Pain" are missing, listener, but joyful to the devoted fan replaced by obscure tracks from B- appreciate the unusual set list, but the looking for a rarity. Sides and Otherwise and other unre- tracks don't merit individual release. The album features a whopping 18 leased material. Listeners with knowl- tracks. Although most of them are bare- edge of Morphine's discography may Grade: B- teamlogogear. cor featuring officially licensed "logo" merchandise for GREEK-COLLEGE-PRO clothing-candles-pajamas-flags-backpacks blankets-luggage-caps-tailgate party gear-jewelry & many more hard-to-find "logo" items I 17-41-1 r n - 'c lI;Q-2Cr JOIN THE MOST PROMISING PROFESSION OF THE 21ST CENTURY BECOME A TEALCILEII? If you count yourself among the few who want to serve their country Register online at: