16 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, July 6, 1998 'Little' Ani plays big show By Amy Barber Daiy A Writer The last time Ani Difranco came to Michigan, the unconstrained, staunchly feminist, self-made folksinger had acquired virtually no radio airplay throughout her seven years as a record- ing artist. Last Monday at Meadowbrook, Ani retumed a different woman, having recently tasted more fame than ever with the release of "Little Plastic Castle," which has been sneaking its way into the mainstream music scene over the past few months. Ani's altered career affected Monday's concert both positively and negatively. She started the evening off with "Little Plastic Castle," a surefire way to excite the crowd right off the bat. The song pleased both longtime fans who finally got to see the live perfor- mance of a long-awaited hit song and new fans who didn't know more than one or two songs (this being one of them). The new fans made upa notable por- tion of the large audience, so many were able to obtain their first heavy dose of one of music's best kept secrets. The flip side was the reduction in a feeling of intimacy throughout an audi- ence of dedicated fans, a factor regular- ly present in past shows. And faithful fans didn't get to hear Don't get pulled in, by Monster Magnet Fully equipped with mad fingerpicking and sharp lyrics, Ani Difranco had fans at Meadowbrook on their feet Monday night. many of the songs that made them so devoted in the first place. Nearly half the songs Ani performed were from her most recent album which, while certain- ly a remarkable piece of work, is not quite as impressive as th(es of the past. Old favorites such as "Cradle and All" and "Letter to a John" were spectacular- ly perfoned - an indication that at least a few tunes from albums such as "Not So Soft," "Imperfectly" and "Puddle Dive" would have been equally exceptional. Unfortunately, none were played. I do not, however, mean to under- mine the quality of the new songs that were performed. Full of raw emotion, beautiful vocals and the combination of Ani's uniquely astonishing guitar play- ing with keyboard, drums and bass, songs like "Two Little Girls" and "Gravel" couldn't have sounded better. A few new songs promised that Ani's next album is sure to be a success. These songs still mirrored past great- ness while exploring new territory "My Country 'Tis of Thee" said that although people have done so much destruction to our country and the way it is run, we should still love the coun- try itself. In "Not Angry Anymore." Ani dealt with her feelings toward her father for leaving her and her mother when she was a child. Over the past few years, Aii las become notorious for regularly playing extremely short sets, disappointing many fans. So it was a pleasant surprise on Monday when she performed 17 songs in over an hour and a half - by no means a record, but better than the usual hour and 15 minutes. Although seeing her live may not be a "s urise every time," it was worth- while after seven years to see Ani per- form after finally receiving a bit of well-eamed mainstream attention. By Adlin Rosli Daily Arts Writer Monster Magnet shares one unques- tionable trait with the Spice Girls. People in general either love the band or loath it. But even if you loathe Monster Magnet, a part of you still shamefully envies the band. If the members of The Spice Girls are the Powertrip poster girls of 'girl power," the Monster Magnet guys of Monster Magnet are the poster boys of the *k * power of resent- ment, degenera- &M ecords n, sexual desires and acid trips. On their fourth A&M release, "Powertrip," the boys of Monster Magnet continue to peddle their brew of no-frills, power-chord rock & roll. There's no incorporation of dance beats or samplers, just good old loud guitars and plenty of testos- terone. Singer Dave WN-ndorf throws one of the most sincere rock signs on the cover of the albun this side of an Iron Maiden concert. Wyndorf also does not fail to com- plement his songs with his trademark sci-fi and devil's advocate lyrics. "I'm your living crop circle." Wyndorf proclaims on "Crop Circle." le later muses on "Bummer" that "Some people go to bed with Lucifer, then cry when they don't greet the day with God." With producer Matt Hyde (Pomo 1 Pyros) and mixer Randy Staub (Metallica), Monster Magnet has deliv- ered another album that stays true to all things that rock. From the stoner blues sounds ot "Space lord" to the Pulp Fiction-wor- thy "19 Witches," Monster Magnet grooves, rocks and soothes its way through the 13-track album. The album, however, lacks the catchy hooks and memorable riffs Monster Magnet's previous effo "Dopes to Infinity." Despite the amazing lyrics on "Powertrip," the music this time seems to just be an exercise of tried and true rock & roll staples. You see the blows coming long before the punch is thrown. But ultimately, what makes Monster Magnet simultaneously endearing and annoying is its complete embrace 4 rock & roll values. From the fist hurling riffs to Wyndorf's delivery of the lyrics, the band stays completely true to rock & roll's blueprints. Not a single "Oh Yeah," or "Baby" is misplaced. This is a worthy effort, but it exudes a thick air of familiarity. Kind of like how the seemingly nesz sound of The Spice Girls is actually just a recycled, mass-manufactured Ipsp-machine prod- uct. Girls and boys will love 'Freak' -l ,, Y ,". f55ris rra 'Ywr . By Jewel Gopwan . B 'a'ird .oinr<44 'pyr a Gil/i Daily ArtsWriter "This is no apocalypse," reveals Girls Against Boys (GVSB) on its single, P R K Pk T ' Win a trip for two... "ParkAvenue."It's just "Freak*on*ica," the band'slatest album of fierce songs. It may not be the end of the S world, but the slbu could yey a well be the end of Freak*on*ieg - - the p o p song as we know it. Girls Against Facing high Boys . expectations from a bigger label, DGC Records, . .and fans accusing DGc Records "' the band of sell- Ladies no cover. $1 off drinks all night. ing out, GVSB Draft beer specials. A s had issues to conquer on - *u * -"Freak*on*ica." "House of GVSB," 2'the band's last album, and the last effort on its previous label, is a powerful col- M I Ilection that made Girls Against Boys a more common name. With "Freak*on*ica," Girls Against S e p v C e 8s Boys meets the higher expectations, y ey . ze .offering an equally powerful sound and $Mt3 No cover charge before P' added experimentation. The band expands the capabilities of electronics .."to make keyboards the driving force ..behind every song, which had previ- ously been the role of the guitars and two basses on "House of GVSB." From start to finish, "Freak*on*ica" is an intense onrush of electronic hooks. GVSB's first single and the first track on the album is "Park Avenue," a song that should be blazing its way up alternative radio charts. A gateway leading to McCloud's raspy voice, bor- derline chaotic electronics, harsh beats and fearsome guitars, "Park Avenue" throws listeners into a frenzy. Although each song carries its own weight, certain tracks with the mosticre- ative keyboard work and the fiercest lyrics stand out. "Psycho Future" begins like a distorted electronic symphony, with everything in place. That perfection only leads to the song's later chaotic interlude, which warps McCloud's voice with complex electronics. GVSB also offers the best in lyrics. A social commentary at times, the album features lyrics that require heavy contemplation but that make sense. "Vogue Thing" proposes a new look at materialism. "You're thinking Calvin Klein/Im thinking skin by Gucci/I don't care what's real/ I only care how it feels." McCloud has an appropriate voice to sing .over the album's experimental electronic work because one does not outshine the other. On the downside lyrically, McCloud traded in his deep, sultry voice from "House of GVSB" for raspy, seedy, almost Brando-like vocals on "Freak*on*ica." On "Roxy" and "Cowboy's Orbio Janney, keyboardist and second bassist, takes on the additional role of back-up vocalist. Adding variety to those two tracks, Janney shows off yet another side of Girls Against Boys. On "Freak*on*ica," Girls Against Boys synthesizes raucous ' lyrics, unheard of electronic hooks and an intri- cate beatlto make an album that obliter- ates pop songs and pop stars. GVSB makes music for the advanced listener. Cortsyof om uchan o Reod McCloud of GVSB has created a suc- cessful album, despite faltering vocals.