12 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, August 6, 2001 MystC ut it up on ARTS Cuts For Luck and Scars For Free- dom, Mystic; Goodvibe Recordings By W. Jacarl Melton Daily Arts Writer On the introduction to Cuts For Luck and Scars For Freedom, Mystic asks her listeners to open their minds and just "ride" with her. This is proba- bly the best way to approach her debut album. Mystic commands her audience's attention through 16 tracks by mixing her well-honed rhyming and singing skills with lyrics that are both socially observant and deeply personal. The Oakland, California based Mys- tic has been making a name for herself in the past few years on the West Coast for her ability to switch between emcee and vocalist without compro- mising her talents in either. We saw Lauryn Hill do this three years ago, but Mystic has something Lauryn did- n't have, or at least didn't show: An edge. Mystic has no problem calling things as she sees them. "Ghetto Birds" is a prime example of this, as Mystic urges people to stop ignoring the forces that are actively oppressing their lives. Also, she suggests these forces are less discreet than we'd like to think. The track critiques both sides of the coin, the oppressor and the oppressed, in a way only a few artists have done. "The Life," which follows the same premise of "Ghetto Birds," is the album's lead single and features Mys- tic's vocal talents almost exclusively. It serves as a ghetto anthem of sorts by calling on people to rise above the pain and negativity put forth by others. Mystic's voice floats over a head-nod- ding beat and when it's time to rhyme, she brings it back down to earth demonstrating her excellent capacity to shift gears between two differing vocal styles. On "Fatherless Child," Mystic shows she isn't afraid to bare her soul or per- sonal tribulations. The song is dedicat- ed to her father, who was mostly absent from her life. She openly criticizes his womanizing and violence towards her mother, but mourns his 1999 death from a heroin overdose. After recount- ing being raped while in high school, Mystic wonders, "would it have, could it have, should it have been different if I had your hand to grab?" It's a valid question, but difficult to hear her ask it. Mystic's album is so candid it's almost brutal, which is refreshing. As one guest rapper put it, "it's really nice to find sisters bigger than the fashion designs," and that's true. However, these deviations from the norm of pop- ular music could turn some people off. On the surface, this is a somewhat dark and pessimistic album. Going beyond this initial read, Mystic's album needs to be heard word for word in order to appreciate it. The "cuts" she's experienced have pro- duced a debut that's memorable and praiseworthy. Grade: A- Save 10% off any hair care products Nexxus - Paul Mitchell - KSM Products Simply bring this coupon to Supercuts 715 N. University - 668-8488 Open 7 Days But come In soon, this offer ends 8125101. Good at partcpatins shops. Not valid with any other offer. One'coupon per customer. Vince Vaughn discusses with Jon Favreau why he did not use his bear-like claws In a light. cane of 'Sigr' By David Horn Combs), another criminal, than Dsity Arts Writer Both Bobby and Ricky are boxers, the I and work whatever jobs they can for guag It's money, baby, as long as you Max. While the naive, paranoid, easi enjoy recycled characters, an unfor- slow-wilted Ricky is content with "Swi Innately familiar plot and P. Diddy: this lifestyle, Bobby is not. He Fo The thespian. hopes to use the money from the job whet "Made" is the follow-up to the in New York to pay off Max so that girl highly successful Jessica can quit stripping and they with " S w i n g e r s ," can raise her young daughter. plact which also Once the friends begin their jour- migh M d starred Jon ney to New York, the movie begins well MaeFavreau and - not because the plot starts mov- licent Grade: B Vince Vaughn, ing, but because Vaughn takes over, is a and was also Both Vaughn and Favreau play first At the stte written and essentially the same character that Be diretead by they did in "Swingers," which aske Favreau. Favreau realized (correctly) would hei "tSew i n g eras" be nothing but successful. Vaughn is simp . won over audi- again the goofy, loud, self-important " thences with its yin to Favreau's quiet, humble yang. does clever catch Favreau as a writer has a knack it's phrases and foun- for putting his oddly-paired charac- bees dation in previ- ters in situations that are awkward But ously unwritten contemporary urban and unfamiliar to them. Combs suc- won mores. "Made" may come off as a ceeds (albeit barely) as Ruiz, espe- muc coattail-riding, hackneyed second- cially in his unending confusion and mak effort, yet as it maintains the humor disappointment in these "two voir and wit of its first incarnation, it is guineas from L.A." forr worthy of a few laughs. These characters, and essentially a litt In "Made," Favreau and Vaughn the story, are based on what Mike ers), play best friends Bobby and Ricky. and Trent (Favreau and Vaughn's ear Bobby is in trouble with small-time characters from "Swingers") would two L.A. gangster/pimp Max (Peter be if they left their life of night- ters Fawk) after getting into a fight with a clubs and video games for one of agai bachelor for whom his stripper-girl- crime. "s friend Jessica (Famke Janssen) was The funniest scene in the movie othe working. Because Max seems to like involves Vaughn asking his first- watec Bobby he gives him and Ricky (after class stewardess to "round up some But the former hesitantly vouches for the honeys from coach" to party in New ends latter) the opportunity to go to New York with them. Yet while funny on figs York to work with Ruiz (Sean its own, the scene was one of more mov plabetfinsBbyadRcy anTrn FveuadVuh' eaf Courtesy of than scener a few instances where not humor but also the very e of these characters coul ly traced back five year ingers." r example, there is a e Vaughn leaves Favreau w while he goes into another r her friend. Another scene t -e in the sort of nightclub it see in Puff Daddy videos , in "Swingers." Plus, se plate of the their limo clever reference to Favre picture. it at some point the questi d: When does somethin g self-referential and ly unoriginal? lade" walks that thin line, it well. It doesn't matter a reincarnation of "Swin use the former was so g Favreau should realize th t be able to get away with ;h more. Tarantino was ab e one carbon copy of " Dogs," but not two. C aulas can generally be stre le further (think Farrelly but not forever. Favreau for clever dialogue an funny, complementary c" - once - and then d in. Made" is worth seeing, if f tr reason than you can h "Swingers" so many ti be wary of Favreau's fu. avors. He is going to re out how to make a ie.