The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, September 07, 1984, Image 21
John Waite No Brakes EMI America ★★★★★ "Every time / think of you it always turns out good" The Babys "Every time I think of you I always catch my breath” John Waite Every time I think of John Waite I think of The Babys, the most under-rated of the late 1970s formula bands. They had a few hits, some decent albums and a hell of a lead singer named Waite. But they didh't sell enough records, lost their keyboard player, Jonathan Cain, to Journey, and finally disbanded. It may have been the best thing that ever happened to John Waite. After a so-so first album, Igni tion, Waite has come back with a vengeance. With a new and more explosive band featuring lightening-quick guitarist Gary Myrick, Waite wails more than he's done on all previous al bums combined. "Saturday Night," a relent less rocker, opens side one in grand fashion. Waite and Myr ick attack the song with the sub tlety of a train wreck. Waite has always had a great rock'n'roll voice and it's been pushed to even greater limits by Myrick's incredible guitar work. The hit single "Missing you" follows, and although it's a good song, there are even bet ter songs on the album. Its placement after "Saturday Night," however, drastically slows the tempo of the album. Among the better songs on the album is "Restless Heart," a California-style rocker in the Jackson Browne vein. Waite's voice proves much more versa tile than it did with The Babys. There's also some really nice slide guitar work by Myrick. In "Euroshima" Waite ex pounds on the "push-button lo gic" of world powers and the dangers the future holds. "There's no phoenix rising, the future's stillborn," he warns. It's a powerful rocker. When Waite and Myrick are at their best, you can feel the in terplay between them, espe cially on songs like "Dreamti me/Shake it up." They hold back on the verses and let loose on the chorus. And they really rip up the ending. The chemistry between the two could be the missing el ement for John Waite's success. If nothing else, it should make for some great rock'n'roll. The FIXX Phantoms MCA Records ★★★l The FIXX continue to do on this album what they did on Reach the Beach; for the most part they play fun, danceable music that caters to young adults rather than 16-year-old girls. The album Phantoms has, at the very least, technically, fundamentally good music. But while it's mostly enjoya ble, it's just not all that mem orable. Not to say that Phantoms isn't worth a listen. The group's sound is basically the same as before. There are upbeat, funky songs and slower, eerie ones. Those in the first group, "Sunshine in the Shade," "Lost in Battle Overseas," "In Sus pense" and "Are We Oursel ves," have great rhythms that make it near impossible to sit still while you're listening to them. Bassist Dan K. Brown and drummer Adam Wood are essential to the group. The foundation that they set down as the "rhythm section" make these songs stand out. These guys define the sound of the band. "Are We Ourselves" is an ex cellent example. Brown and Wood drive the rest of the band on with a manic, syncopated beat. This and the other songs with that audible punch show the band at their frenzied best. The album could use more of this. About half of the album how ever is taken up by darker, more brooding songs that are interesting to listen to but just don't stay with you. Play these songs as many times as you want and they just won't stick. The best thing about them is Cy Cumin's emotionally stirring voice. It's perfect for the songs, but a half hour or so after listen ing, it's tough to remember any distinchons between them. If you're willing to take a chance on buying an album that you may only enjoy half of, pick it up. Those few good songs could be worth it. But if you're looking for an al bum that's consistent, solid throughout and a "can't miss" pick, well... give it a listen first. Registration for M ill 1984 Fall Craft Workshops /l\ Begins September 10 Welcome to another exciting semester of MSC Craft Center Workshops! These workshops are sponsored to introduce you to new crafts and expand your existing skills. Come in and find the artist in you! For further information call 845-1631. Workshops: Times: Dates: Fees: Instructors: Basket Weaving 6:00-8:30 Sept 24, Oct 1, 8 $14 Perry M Basket Weaving 6:00-8:30 Oct 29, Nov 5, 12 $14 Perry Batik 6:00-7:30 Oct 15, 22, 29, Nov 5, 12, 19 $15 Athens Glass Etching and Sandblasting 7:00-9:30 Oct 22, 29, Nov 5 $12 Taylor Matting and Framing 7:00-9:00 Sept 24, Oct 1, 8, 15 $18* Gillis Quilting 7:00-9:00 Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov 5 $22 Metzer Beginning Pottery—Handbuilding 5:00-7:00 Oct 23,30, Nov 6, 13 $18* Moore Beginning Pottery—Wheel 7:30-9:30 Oct 16, 23, 30, Nov 6, 13, 20 $25* Claus T Beginning Stained Glass 7:00-9:30 Oct 9, 16, 23, 30, Nov 6 $25* Sink Decoy Carving 6:30-9:30 Oct 30, Nov 6, 13, 20 $22* Carter Drawing 6:00-8:00 Oct 16, 23, 30, Nov 6, 13 $18 Finney Flower Arranging 7:00-9:30 Sept 18, 25, Oct 2, 9 $18 Merrill Glass Etching and Sandblasting 7:00-9:30 Sept 25, Oct 2, 9 $12 Taylor Airbrushed T-Shirts 6:00-8:00 Oct 3, 10, 17 $12 Athens Beginning Pottery—Wheel 5:00-7:00 Sept 19, 26, Oct 3, 10, 17, 24 $25* Dobbs Beginning Stained Glass 7:00-9:30 Oct 10, 17, 24, 31, Nov 7 $25* Sink w Bike Maintenance 7:30-9:30 Sept 19, 26, Oct 3, 10 $15* Wilson Intermediate Pottery—Wheel 7:30-9:30 Sept 26, Oct 3, 10, 17, 24 $18* Dobbs Matting and Framing 7:00-9:00 Oct 31, Nov 7, 14, 21 $18* Gillis Watercolor 6:00-8:00 Oct 24, 31, Nov 7, 14, 21 $18 Graham Woodshop Orientation 7:30-9:30 Sept 19, 26, Oct 3, 10, 17, 24 $25* Godfrey Airbrushing 6:00-8:00 Oct 11, 18, 25, Nov 1, 8 $18 Finney Th Beginning Pottery—Wheel 5:00-7:00 Oct 4, 11, 18, 25, Nov 1, 8 $25* Dobbs Calligraphy 6:00-8:00 Oct 11, 18, 25, Nov 1, 8, 15 $20 Smith Coffee Tables 7:00-9:00 Oct 4, 11, 18, 25 $20** Helton Flower Arranging 7:00-9:30 Sept 27, Oct 4, 11, 18 $18 Merrill Jewelry Casting 6:00-8:30 Oct 11, 18, 25, Nov 1, 8 $24* Rhea •Class few include a Craft Center membership card that allows for shop use outside of workshop hours. ••Coffee Tables is an advanced class that requires all students to purchase a woodshop card and be certified on the table saw and the thickness planer. All nonstudents must purchase a $2.00 identification card when registering for all classes. Reviews by PETER ROCHA Albums courtesy of Music Express