kS I pessed play and heard a neon dam of rumors, like the lavender flame that danCes alone... Co toes of RCA Records Berg's music is as cool as her name. Matraca Berg Lying to the Moon and Other Stories RCA It is rare in Nashville that song writ- ers are given an opportunity to display their artistic talents. With her new release "Lying to the Moon and Other Stories" Matraca Berg departs from the industry cliche "Buy art, don't write it." For years Berg has been the voice behind some of country's most prolific. female artists. But with this album she gets a chance to show off her abilities as both lyrical poet and vocalist. It offers an intriguing mix of folk and country pop songs. Her stories range from strange feminist-edged love poems to suburban housewife blue-col- lar fantasies. Occasionally as with the songs "Calico Plains" and "Lying to the Moon" the words get tossed up against a forgettable musical back- ground making otherwise strong lyrics appear rather bland. Despite this, the real strength in "Lying to the Moon" is in Berg's voice. No matter how odd the lyrics or weak the musical accompani- ment somehow she makes it come together. "Lying to the Moon" probably won't duplicate the commercial success Berg has had as a songwriter but it does pro- vide a glimpse behind-the-scenes of the Nashville song writing machine. It's encouraging to see that not everything that comes out of the city is as homog- enized as the music often heard on mainstream country radio. Curtis Zimmerman Heavy D Heavy Universal Records Unfortunately, it seems like the big sexy men trend died with Biggie. The "Overweight Lover" tries a little too hard to bring it back. When most peo- ple think of Heavy D they think of mid- dle school dances and, of course, "The Boyz." Now, in 1999, "Heavy" seems to feel like he has to ditch his old school image and include newer, modern lyrics - such as "I like it when you do dat here." The money-minded lyrics of the Puff Daddy are also a feeble effort at being modern: "I went from Timex to Rolex..." Heavv D was more fun and relaxed back when he wasn't trying so hard - back in the days of "We Got Our Own Thing" or even "Black Coffee." "Heasv does hie its strong points Guest appearances from Cee-Lo, Q- Tip, Chico Desarge. Big Pun an Eightball greatly strengthen the albu'' "Dancin' in the Night" is an interesting spiritual etort. Several songs contain strong beats and lyrical flips. Heavy D is still around. But if you're looking for some good old Heavy D hip hop, reach for your early nineties albums. That was when Heavy was at his best. Alisa Claets Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Bang, Bang, Bang DreamWorks Session players rule Nashville. Few fans recognize this, even though it's made clear in the liner notes. That's what makes "Bang, Bang, Bang" by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band so extran dinary for a major country band: they play all their own instruments (what a stretch). This gives the album a unique feel and varied musical texture, some- thing non-existent in mainstream releases. Beyond the fact that it doesn't fall victim to the session player disease "Bang, Bang, Bang" contains a solid mix of country and rock with phe- nomenal vocal harmonies. Songs lik "This Ain't Love," "Southbound Train," and "Dry Town" are all fast paced country pop tunes which are easy listen to and sing along with. This is contrasted with the more story oriented slow songs like "Singing to the Scarecrow," "It's About Time," and "Down the Road" While this album doesn't have any incredible tracks, there aren't any weak ones. Its encouraging to see The Nit* Gritty Dirt Band still has the ability to record a decent album. While not sur- passing the greatness of the earlier music it could be a good lesson for younger bands (and established produc- ers). It will remind them that unique high quality music makes a great recording not just one or two standard hit singles. Curtis Zttimertm Codeseven Division Of Labor The Music Cartel Codeseven's "Division Of Labor" is easily one of heavy music's shining moments for 1999. Right from the first track, "Lights," the group hits you emotionally and aurally with t musical equivalent of a sledgeharW mer. The group is a master of juxtapos- ing the heavy parts with gorgeous melancholic melodic parts in uncon- ventional but effective ways. You are pummelled, then soothed with depres- sion, then pummelled again only hard- er throughout the course of the album. Fans of everything of Dillinger Escape Plan, Thoughts on Ionesco a* The Deftones should pay close atten- tion to Codeseven's intensely satisfy- ing "Division of Labor." Adin Ros/i n SOPHIE B. HAWKINS Timbre Features "Lose Your Way" MOB t Play Features "Honey"