Page 14 The Battalion Thursday, February 16,1989
Reviews
A&M band satirizes life,
parodies campus groups
20 Songs a Day to a Happier,
Healthier You!
For Cryin’ Out Loud
Basilhead Records
★★★
By S. Hoechstetter
REVIEWER
Imagine a band that’s a hybrid of
The Judy’s and the Violent Femmes.
It’s not that far-fetched an idea —
the band is called For Cryin’ Out
Loud and the members are Texas
A&M students.
Their album, 20 Songs a Day to a
Happier, Healthier You! combines
crazy lyrics like The Judy’s (except
For Cryin’ Out Loud’s lyrics are even
crazier) with vocals and instrumen
tals that sound frighteningly similar
to the Femmes’.
Drummer Mike Thompson, a
sophomore business major, says the
band members used to listen to the
Violent Femmes a lot, which in
fluenced how they sound today.
Lately, however, they have been
writing some songs in which they do
not pattern themselves after the
Femmes so much, Thompson said.
This comical, talented trio has a
different way of looking at life and
the kind of people found at A&M.
Vocalist Chris Cessac spares no
one from his biting but humorous
parodies.
Included in the list of people he
makes fun of afe Vanna White, soro
rities, fraternities, Corps of Cadets
members, cowboys, Elvis, bowlers
and fad-followers.
But be warned: If you don’t han
dle good-natured teasing too well,
you might not Find the humor here.
Cessac has no mercy. He has some
thing to say about almost everyone.
“Shut Up (Sorority Bitch)” is a
parody of sorority members. In a
sarcastic tone Cessac whines,
“Daddy, Daddy! I’ve been black
balled! The other sisters caught me
drinking domestic beer from a can!”
“The C.T. Song” is not a favorable
portrayal of the Corps, but it is
funny and it is a different experi
ence to hear a song that can only ap
ply to Texas A&M. Guitarist Bob
Burrus even plays the First few bars
of the “Aggie War Hymn” in the
song.
“But be warned: If you
don’t handle good-natured
teasing too well, you might
not find the humor here.
Cessac has no mercy.”
Other songs in which the lyrics
Were inspired by watching students
at A&M include “How Hicks Im
press Chicks” and “In Another Life I
Was a Squirrel”.
Not all of For Crying Out Loud’s
songs are about college life.
“I Wish I Had No Brain” pokes
fun of people who are rich and phys
ically attractive while portraying
what a shallow life such people lead.
For Cryin’ Out Loud uses creative
metaphors in songs like “Life is a
Pink Floyd Song” and “I’m Gum
Stuck On the Shoe of Fate”.
Again they show they have differ
ent but interesting ways of looking at
life. An interesting little quip is
added at the end of “In Another
Life I Was a Squirrel”. Cessac quietly
says, “Political reform does not begin
at the barber shop.”
The album also includes several
songs that are nonsensical and just
there for fun, like “I’m in Love With
Judy Jetson.” No metaphors or
deep, meaningful statements here —
just fun.
“Weezer’s New Auto” and “The
Continuing Tale of Weez” are two
songs in a continuing saga of a guy
named Weezer who ditches his old
junker car for a new, strange-
looking car.
He drives around the world pick
ing up ancient philosophers and
messiahs who are hitchhiking. They
discuss the age-old question of “Is
pop art really art?” and get so en
grossed in their conversation that
Weezer drives off the end of the
earth.
The album probably will not get
much air play because some of the
lyrics would be considered inappro
priate for public broadcast. But the
band occasionally does play live
around town.
20 Songs a Day to a Happier,
Healthier You! is funny and fun to
listen to, but you have to be able to
swallow your pride and relax
enough to laugh at yourself.
Y et another
poor film
for Candy
“Who’s Harry Crumb?”
Starring John Candy
Directed by Paul Flahferty
Rated PG-13
★
By Shane Hall
REVIEWER
Who’s Harry Crumb? Well,
he’s not anyone worth making a
movie about. “Who’s Harry
Crumb” is a “crumby” John
Candy comedy full of bad slaps
tick and unfunny moments.
Overall, the Film is a waste of
Candy’s comic talents.
Candy stars as Harry Crumb, a
bungler from a family of great
detectives. When the daughter of
a rich man is kidnapped, Harry’s
corrupt boss, Eliot Draisen (Jef
frey Jones) assigns him to the
case, knowing Harry is too inept
to solve it. Eliot is the man who
masterminded the kidnapping to
begin with.
Harry is convinced the kidnap
per is the girl’s greedy, nympho
maniac stepmother (Annie Potts),
Helen Downing. Helen, however,
is trying to kill her husband to in
herit his millions.
This movie could have been a
funny piece of slapstick, but di
rector Paul Flaherty (a former
cast member of the television
comedy “SCTV” like Candy)
seems content to fill the movie
with an endless number of over
worked routines. Harry is forever
tumbling over chairs, smashing
valuable items of Eliot’s and
wrecking cars. The only clever
moments come when Harry gets
caught in a ceiling fan and when
he is flung through a maze of air-
conditioning ducts. Except for a
few other funny moments, how
ever, the movie is witless and mo
ronic.
Harry fancies himself to be a
master of disguise, but the dis
guises he assumes are neither
convincing nor funny. Most of his
aliases amount to little more than
makeup tricks, and not very good
ones at that. The late Peter Sellers
did the master of disguise routine
10 times funnier and more effec
tively in the “Pink Panther” mov
ies.
John Candy himself is a tal
ented comic, but he is not allowed
to show how funny he is because
of a lame script, which has been
occuring with disturbing fre
quency. His ability to satirize bad
comedy on “SCTV” is memora
ble, but his movie output has left
much to be desired. Films such as
“Summer Rental” and “The
Great Outdoors” are examples.
He was lucky enough to appear
only in voice in “Hot to Trot,”
where he was the voice of a talk
ing horse. John Hughes’ hilarious
“Planes, Trains and Automobi
les” is one of the few bright spots
in an otherwise dismal record.
“Who’s Harry Crumb” unfortu
nately is another mark in the bad
movie column.
Replacements offer
pure rock ’n’ roll
The Replacements
Don’t Tell a Soul
Sire Records
★★★
By S. Hoechstetter
STAFF WRITER
Be on the lookout for The Re-
lacements’ soon-to-be-released al
um, Don’t Tell a Soul. It is the
band’s third major release, and they
sound stronger than ever before.
Don’t Tell a Soul is packed with
emotion and pure rock ’n’ roll. The
album title may be deceiving because
this Minneapolis foursome tells us
everything as the songs roll by.
“We’ll Inherit the Earth” seems to
catch the whole meaning of the al
bum in one song. It is a catchy tune
that embodies the album title within
its lyrics that say, “We’ll inherit the
earth but don’t tell anybody/ It’s
been ours since birth and it’s ours al
ready.”
“Achin’ to Be” is about a girl who
is longing to feel love and life. Lead
vocalist Paul Westerberg’s strong
voice conveys the sorrow and frus
tration he feels when he is near this
girl.
A short harmonica solo enhances
the feelings of desperation and emo
tional desolation.
“They’re Blind” is a slow song that
almost sounds like it could have been
one of those songs from a 1950s sock
hop where Jimmy and Betty danced
cheek-to-cheek for the first time.
“Almost” is the key word there, of
course. It is still recognizable as a
post-Spinners-era song.
Most of Side One is pretty tame.
The Replacements let us daydream
through the first side and then ru
dely slap us back to the present with
a long, loud shriek at the beginning
of the First song on Side Two.
“Anywhere is Better Than Here”
is a tough song. It is impatient and
gives the listener a sense of dissatis
faction. It sets the tone for most of
the rest of the album, which is harsh
and wild.
“I’ll Be You” already is getting
some radio play and is sure to be one
of the most popular songs off the al
bum. “I Won’t” is raw rock ’n’ roll.
This is the song that will cause the
neighbors to complain when it is
turned up loud, the kind of song
that you play to relieve tension.
The last two songs on the album,
“Rock ’n’ Roll Ghost” and “Darlin’
One” are slower songs that add to
the richness of the soul-baring that
The Replacements do on Don’t Tell
a Soul.
The Replacements’ new album
should be in the record stores soon.
It is their best album yet and is sure
to please any devotee of The Re
placements and anyone fond of
good rock ’n’ roll. But remember:
Don’t tell a soul.
Eerie digital mixes evoke
reminders of nightmares
Belief
Nitzer Ebb
Geffen Records
■kit
By S. Hoechstetter
REVIEWER
Belief, the new album by Nitzer
Ebb, should be in every dj’s collec
tion. Their music is frequently heard
in dance clubs because of its strong
mechanical beat.
Nitzer Ebb should not produce al
bums, however, because listening to
the entire 40 minutes of repetitive
computerized sounds could be haz
ardous to your mental health.
The band uses repetition of deep,
frightening sounds with lots of
booms and shouting. These are the
sounds you hear in nightmares
When the album ends, your heart is
racing. Everything seems strangely
silent. The phone rings and scares
you out of your skin. But it’s not nec
essarily a bad album.
Douglas McCarthy and Bon Har
ris’ vocals are more like talking in a
raspy voice than singing. Actually,
Belief doesn’t have notes or instru
mentals. It’s mostly just 40 minutes
of computerized digital mixes.
“Control I’m Here” is the most en
ergetic song on the album. It’s al
ready being played in some of the
more progressive clubs and is highly
recognizable with McCarthy and
Harris shouting,“Shut the door/
Shut the door/ Control I’m here.”
“T.W.A.” starts off with a voice
and sounds from a control tower
saying, “TWA eight-forty-seven,”
then another voice says, “Surren
der!” This could be a comment on
the dangers of air travel but it’s
doubtful that Nitzer Ebb is aiming to
start a revolution through their mu
sic.
“Blood Money” is an interesting
song. It starts off with a few seconds
of heavy breathing and works itself
into lines like, “Money for blood-
/Don’t take that cross away/don’t
take that cash away.”
The lyrics in the other songs are
not especially intellectual. As with
their music, Nitzer Ebb chooses two
or three words or phrases for each
song and repeats them. But in their
case it works.
“Captivate” and “Drive” are the
only two songs on the album that dis
tinguish themselves from the others
because they are slow and don’t re
peat the common beat.
Even though Nitzer Ebb creates
good dance mixes, it’s not something
to listen to if you want to raise your
spirits. Listening to the whole album
leaves you dazed and queasy. Listen
ing to only two or three songs is
okay, but Nitzer Ebb should stay in
the clubs where they are played in
small doses.
Around Town
Live Music
Brazos Landing
Brazos Landing is at Northgate.
Everyone is admitted. Beer, wine
and mixed drinks are served. For
more information, call 846-3497.
Thursday — Hootenanny (fea
turing Dru Wilson and Had Bi-
nion). Rock. $3 cover.
Friday — Quizumba. Brazilian
music. $5 cover.
Saturday — Self Righteous
Brothers. Rock. $3 cover.
Sunday — Guidance. Reggae. $2
cover.
Tuesday — Scroocs. Grateful
Dead music. Cover TBA.
Cow Hop Annex
Next to the restaurant at North-
gate. Those 18 and older ad
mitted. Alcohol served to legal
drinkers. Call 846-1588 for more
information.
Thursday — The Monads.
Rock. $2 cover.
Friday — The Band With No
Sleep. Rock. $2 cover.
Saturday — The Starvin’ Marvin
Band. Rock. $2 cover.
Wednesday — Singalong with
Sneaky Pete. $ 1 cover.
Emiliano’s
In Bryan at 502 W. 25th St. Beer,
wine and set-ups served. Call 775-
9539 for more information.
Thursday — The Brotherhood
Band. Latin/Spanish. No cover
for women, $5 cover for men.
Friday — Tierra Mala. Spanish.
Cover $3-$5.
Saturday — Tierra Mala. Span
ish. Cover $3-$5.
Frank’s Bar and Grill
In College Station at 503 E. Uni
versity Drive. All ages are ad
mitted. Beer, wine and liquor are
served to legal drinkers. Call 846-
5388 for more information.
Saturday — Memorandum.
Jazz. $2 cover.
Hall of Fame
In Bryan on FM 2818 north of
Villa Maria. Those 18 to 20 ad
mitted on selected dates. Alcohol
served to legal drinkers. Call 822-
2222 for more information.
Thursday — Nightlife. $2
cover.
Friday — Texas Unlimited. $4
cover.
Saturday — Nightlife. $4 cover.
Kay’s Cabaret
At Post Oak Mall. Those 18 and
over are admitted. Beer, wine
and liquor served to legal drink
ers. For more information, call
696-9191.
Thursday — Don Overby.
Originals and classic oldies. No
cover.
Friday — Subculture. Dance mu
sic. $2 cover.
Saturday — Stonefish Square.
Rock ’n’ roll. $2 cover.
Movies
Cinema Three
Located at 315 College Ave. in
the Skaggs Shopping Center. Call
693-2796 for more information.
The Fly II. Rated R. Showtimes
are 7:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.
Who’s Harry Crumb? Rated PG-
13. Showtime is 7:20 p.m.
Tap. Rated PG-13. Showtime is
9:10 p.m.
True Believer. Rated R. Show-
times are 7 p.m. and 9:05 p.m.
Opens Friday.
Post Oak Three
Located in the Post Oak Mall. Call
693-2796 for more information.
Working Girl. Rated R. Show-
times are 7 p.m. and 9:20 p.m.
Ends Friday.
The Naked Gun. Rated PG-13.
Point of View
This is a perfect title
I’m reading a newspaper. The
story I’m reading is odd but I think I
may like it anyway.
But now I’m not quite myself
reading this newspaper. I’m some
one else — I’m a man and I’m in
love. I look up from my newspaper
and I see the woman I love coming
toward me.
She is beautiful, and as she walks
toward me I have trouble not staring
at her. What should I say to her? I
do not know if she even likes me; I
only know that I love her and want
her to love me. I must think of some
thing to say to her when she gets
close enough to talk to.
“Hey, babe! How’s it going?” No.
Too personal.
“Hello,” quietly, with a smile. No,
she may think that I don’t want to
talk to her. I must think of some
thing else, but she is almost to me
and I can’t think of anything.
I can feel my heart pounding fast
and my cheeks feel hot, so I know
I’m blushing. I try to smile, but I
think it isn’t a very good smile. She’s
here! I must say something!
“Hey,” I’m saying. “How is every
thing?”
“Oh, hi!” she answers, like she
didn’t see me. Did she really not see
me, or is she just acting that way? “E-
verything’s OK. How’re you?”
I want to say I’m very lonely and
would like to spend lots of time with
her, but I ca’t say that, as I might be
hurt. I’m saying, “Oh, OK. I’m just
bumming around looking for some
thing to do.”
I don’t know what to say and I just
stop talking. I wish she’d suggest
something. Ask me to go somewhere
with her. I’ll say yes.
She smiles at me and her eyes are
as beautiful as I remember them be
ing and I’m slightly surprised that
they really are that beautiful. I’m
imagining us somewhere private and
I’m looking into those eyes as I tell
her I love her.
“Well,” she says, “I have to go
meet some people for lunch,” and sh
glances past me.
I must make her stay with me
longer, but I can’t. She has made
plans and I must respect that. “OK.
Well, maybe I’ll see you around.”
But I can’t wait until I bump into her
again. “And if you ever get bored or
anything, you could call me or some
thing.”
“Yeah, sure,” she answers and
sounds sincere, but I’ve made this
suggestion before and she has never
called and I don’t know what to
make of her reaction. She says, “See
ya,” and walks off.
’Bye,” I’m saying as I watch her
leave. I’m depressed because I didn’t
find the right thing to say and I still
don’t know if she likes me and I’m
going to have to wait to find out.
I turn back to reading the newspa
per and am almost done reading this
story. I realize that I am completely
myself again and I realize that I
liked this and I wonder if there
might be some kind of sequel written
by a woman that tells the other side
of it.
I don’t know and will have to wait
and find out as I’ve come to the end
of this side of the story.
I’m turning the page. . .
This story was written by Michael
Freeman, a sophomore chemistry
major.
Do you have something to say?
Want to have your creative writ
ing published? Send your essays,
stories, poems, etc. to The Battal
ion, “As I See It,” care of the en
tertainment editor.
We will consider all submis
sions labeled with the author’s
name, classification and major or
job title, and phone number for
publication in the entertainment
section.
Bring or mail your work to
The Battalion, Room 216 Reed
McDonald.
Classic ’20s love story
told by Gershwin tunes
By Shane Hall
REVIEWER
The 1920s spirit of George and
Ira Gershwin will be brought to life
at 8 p.m. Friday in Rudder Audito
rium with the MSC-OPAS Theater
Series’ presentation of “My One and
Only.” This musical play features
the Gershwin’s lyrics and score.
“My One and Only” is a story set
in the art-deco era of the 1920s. This
boy-meets-girl play centers on Capt.
Billy Buck Chandler, a Texas pilot
who wants to be the first American
pilot to fly nonstop to Paris.
He falls in love with Edith Her
bert, a famous water ballet star,
which stifles his plans for a trans-At
lantic flight. Edith, meanwhile, is
closely watched by her jealous man
ager, a Russian prince.
Other characters in the musical
include a bootlegging bishop and a
love-struck female mechanic.
Described by The New York
Times as the only musical “that
sends us home on air,” “My One and
Only” features plenty of dance num
bers from a tap dancing chorus to
accompany the Gershwin music.
Some of the songs featured in the
musical are “S’Wonderful,” “He
Loves and She Loves,” “My One and
Only,” “Nice Work If You Can Get
It,” and the classic “Strike Up the
Band.”
Tickets to “My One and Only” are
on sale at Rudder Box Office for $22
for adults and $17.50 for students.
If the show is not sold out on perfor
mance night, $5 tickets will be avail
able to Texas A&M students from
7:30-7:55 p.m.
yie
Showtimes are 7:20 p.m. *
9:20 p.m. Ends Friday.
Her Alibi. Rated PG. Showtim
are 7:10 p.m. and 9:25 p.m.
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adv®
ture. Rated PG. Opens Friday,
The Burbs. Rated PG. Opensft
day.
Schulman Six
In Bryan at 2002 E. 29th Sir#
Call 775-2643 for more inform;
lion.
Tequila Sunrise. Rated R. Shi
times are 7:25 p.m. and 9:50p.
Twins. Rated PG. Showtimes;
7:20 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Big. Rated PG-13. Showtimes^
7:15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
A Fish Called Wanda. R
Showtimes are 7:10 p.m. %
9:40 p.m.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
PG-13. Showtimes are 7 p.m.jj
9:25 p.m. •
Scrooged. Rated PG-13. Slit
times are 7:05 p,m..and 9:35p,
Plaza Three
In College Station at 226Soul
west Parkway. Call 693-245'
more information.
Rain Man. Rated R.Showtimn
are 7 p.m. and 9:35 p.m.
Beaches. Rated PG-13.
times are 7:10 p.m. and 9:40p,m
Three Fugitives. Rated PC,
Showtimes are 7:20 p.m. ami
9:45 p.m.
Manor East Three
In Bryan in the Manor East M4
Call 823-8300 for more inform]
non.
Mississippi Burning. Rated
Showtimes are 7:05 p.m. aol
9:40 p.m.
The Accidental Tourist. Ra
PG. Showtimes are 7:15 p.m,
9:30 p.m.
Dangerous Liaisons. Rated
Showtimes are 7:20 p.m. am
9:45 p.m.
Brownfid
solo cam!
right mow
NEW YORK (AP) - Bo:
Brown had completed recording
sions in Los Angeles for his seed
solo album, but he thought sot
thing was missing.
Seeking inspiration, he and
ducer Gene Griffin headed for
York. The result was “My Prero;
live,” a No. I 'dtnash off the
selling “Don’t Be Cruel.”
“I fell my album was lackinf
strong, aggressive song,” he said,
“A lot of things had been
about Bobby Brown, why ms
doing this (a solo career). It’s my
of expressing to people it's your
ogative to do as you want but ma
sure what you do is the right thini
Brown has erased any
about his decision to leave NewEi
lion in 1987.
“I
It’s my way of
expressing to people it’s
your prerogative to do as
you want but make sure
what you do is the right
thing.”
— Bobby Brow
DENVER (.
jeople clean o
ind useless cli
ert T. Bakker
the closets of tl
he finds remna
known species <
“What we’re
saur gold rush,
versity of Color
But the rusf
earth, it’s to se;
museums, whe
saur bones ar
stored since the
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found every ye
says Bakker.
“Most good
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has “read” the
believes are fo
nosaurs, inclu
been research
nounced.
“The four 1
up, glued tog
studied,” Bakk
;
Although he originally lu
planned to return to the groupal
one album, the success of “Don!
Cruel” and his first solo recot
“King of Stage,” have establish
him as a major star in his own rigli
“None of these songs could B
come by New Edition,” Brown sa
“I wanted to express moreofmc.l
a group you’re limited. You to
different roles”
Brown grew up in the same Ik
ton ghetto of Roxbury as fellow to
Edition members Ralph Tresm
Michael Bivins, Ricky BellandEtf
nie DeVoe. They began singing!
gether in 1981 when Brown was 15
The group had devoted fans.
“In one town, it got totallyoul
hand and we all ended upintheto
pital.” Brown said.
“We were going to the show at
when our car pulled up a gentleto
we-thought was with the organic
told us to go through this door.
“But it was the wrong door,H
audience turned around and sad
and they started chasing us. Wed
terrified.”
Brown decided in 1987 to go®
on his own.
“It was time for a direcii 1
change,” he said. “I loved thegr#
and we will be friends forever to 1
would catch myself going into«
own thing at times on stage.
“I have a real energetic type
personality. They were going for!
American boys so to speak. 1 wai®
to express more to my audience.
His first solo alburn containedi
single, “Girl Friend,” which topf
the R&B charts. But on stage,
least, some adjusting was necessar 1
“I went on a tour with Readyk
the World,” he said. “I gotuptkfj
and I was going through a NewE'l
tion song . . .and I would start®
ticipating that Ralph would come
for his part.
“It didn’t take me a real long®
to get over that feeling.”
Farn
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