IMnday, July 19, 1999 - The Michigan Daily -11 L / Courtesy oftPortrait/Columbia "Look Ma! Ratt is back with a familiar sound and a slightly jazzed up new look!" Ratt Ratt Portrait/Columbia ** With its new self-titled release, Ratt is heading on the comeback trail. The group was one of the biggest rock bands from the '80s and has, in the '90s, fallen victim to being the punchline to the same jokes Warrant, Poison, Motley Crue and other "hair bands" have had to endure. Regardless, Ratt has its chin up high on this one and confidently delivers I1 new tracks. If only confidence alone could make for a good album, this outing would have been a winner Ratt, in its effort to mature its once rough and rocking sound has opted to tone down its aural attack and adopt a more AOR (Adult Oriented Rock) style with some of its songs. Not unlike the contemporary style of rockers like Bryan Adams and Rod Stewart. Consequently, the album has an unfor- tunate number of boring wannabe-rock- ing-but-mellow songs. The first four songs on this album is prime example of this. Due to this, "Ratt" does not quite get the listener's attention during the crucial first couple of songs that decide the lis- tener's choice to continue with listening to the album, or not. It is not until track five, "Breakout," that the album picks up and the group actually lets the goods fly. Why this song wasn't seen as an obvious albutn opener is puzzling. Other notable tracks include "Tug Of War," "Dead Reckoning," "Luv Sick" and "So Good, So Fine" These songs almost elevate Ratt beyond the formula- it path it charts. Sadly, as Brandy puts it, "Everybody knosss, almost doesn't count." Perhaps Ratt will learn to exploit the winners on this one and use them as reference for its next outing. ain n 50 "Would?" and "No Excuses' What is curious is that the fact that despite the inclusion of these tracks, the album is not a strict singles collection as singles such as "Heaven Beside You" were left out."Them Bones," "We D. Young" and "Grind" all help to remind that Alice In Chains has always had that ability to aggressively strike at you musi- cally. Inclusion of non-album tracks such as "What The Hell Have I" and the brand new "Get Born Again" certainly acts as an added incentive for die-hards to get this release. But being as the tracks chosen for this release are supposed to all be or the upcoming boxed set anyway, it would seem as though the die-hard fans are not the main target demo- graphic for this release. Adam Gaio S uit and Je and 1&eesu =- ticedat' What $.00 off Meal Size'1 1Smoothie or Fruit Shake i *.5o off Snack Size lSmoothie or I Fruit Shake I Expires 8/31/99 1 1 1 2 .Williams mntxt o 1vax...t '.,a - SUMMER MOVIES ntinued from Page 9 dried-up art house fare like "Open Your Eyes," "Limbo" and "Run Lola Run." So what gives? In all likelihood 1999 will go down as the summer of blah. There have been no really entertaining mega hits like "Men In Black" or "Lethal Weapon 4," but plenty of okay yet forgettable movies like "Notting Hill" and "Lovers of the tic Circle." And the worst part is there is not that much on the horizon that looks interest- ing as we head into the dog days of sum- mer. Maybe there will be a movie that comes out of nowhere, but until then we're stuck with what looks like luke- warm crap. Who the hell really thinks that the Garry Marshall/Richard Gere/Julia Roberts reunion "The Rinaway Bride" will really be as good as "Pretty )ss an?" d what about the remakes "The Haunting" and the "Thomas Crown Affair?" Will the Jan deBont special effects fest "The Haunting" ever come near the Robert Wise mind-fuck? When will Hollywood and deBont (the "Speed" movies and "Twister") learn that special effects can't replace pure psychological terror? What makes Hollywood think that 00 can resell "Thomas Crown Affair" with Pierce Brosnan, who has never had a hit outside of the Bond series, and Renee Russo if they couldn't make it sell before with Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway? Then again, movies are usually aren't really noteworthy until late fall or Christmas. One year of inovation does .t n idmtrv ri in MUSIC REVIEWS Continued from Page 9 riffing and its tasteless lyrics about muti- lation and zombies, Mortician has creat- ed an album of immense intrigue. Similar to Merzbow, whose releases consist completely of noise and chaos, Mortician has successfully created a collection of heinous sounds that have been produced with such conviction and love that the listener is forced to listen to it. Regardless of whether it due to delight or disgust. Like a raging Floridian tornado destroying everything in its path, Mortician's "Chainsaw Dismemberment" is simultaneously horrendous and beautiful, thus earn- ing it its well deserved zero or four star rating. A word of warning for those who wish to attempt to take on this beast of a record, with all the low end on this album from the severe detuning of the instruments cranking it too loud is at the risk of blowing your speakers out. Adlin Rosli Nothing safe about Alice In Chains. Alice In Chains Nothing Safe Columbia With only three albums and two EPs to its credit, Alice In Chains hardly seems like a band that is already in a position to already be a subject of a "Best of" compilation CD or a boxed set. "Nothing Safe" however ushers in that exact notion into being. This new Alice In Chains release is supposed to be a preview for the band's upcoming boxed set and plays just like a "Best of." Most of the band's essential listening numbers have been included such as "Man In The Box," "Angry Chair," l D I P eou t GTbe 1Aidcign BaiIg display advertising department would like to thank all of the businesses who fave donated . ,erchandis over the past year Shave e ae a posit an t i o extra Sub ore pact onc Y E Lccse the me att h ld DAten a days yo the samefSbtu T he Trai rk 2050Comerc 447ub9a v rsi AnnArb8:ram.M4:004p8m.1lu3chprouoevidtarea)oat !4 becolners !*!4W a s ten tI tem d a e S h o ~ s r c ' e c i g & L a n n teaCh, 1. s f ' ' hts/ieAll you need to do S: Attend a free*, two-day "Successful Substitute ToaregTeacher Training Workshop"onWednesday, RgsiJuly 28 and Thursday, July 29, 1999.from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (lunch provided) at: '5evc hMtoWashtenawintermediate school District's Teaching & Learning AirportCenter, Vogel Rooms A BC, 1819 S. Wagner Rd., Ann Arbor, MI N" g #Ri -srvc You'll learn all the skills you need to successfully manage a classroom. To register or for more information: Call (734) 994-8100, ext. 1220. Registration deadline is Friday, July 23, 1999. 24 Hor, T x erie Space is limited. Call today! Come help us shape a child's future {and yours)! *Washtenaw Intermediate School District (W ISD) will pay all training costs. Plus. Substitute Teaching Certificate costs will be offered to first-timne substitute teachers who sub ten times in Washtenaw County s public school districts (Ann Arbor, Chelsea. Dexter. incoln, Manchester, Milan Saline. Whitmore Lake, Willow Run. Ypsilanti and WISD> creepy "Blair Witch Project" scene.