Aggielife Astro Lounge Interscope Records ed & ■ On their sophomore release. Astro Lounge, Smash Mouth proves that its first hit “Walking on the Sun” was no fluke. Relying om themes of problems within so ciety and personal struggles, the Hnd has made a very appealing allernative/pop album. I Us first single from the new re lease, “All Star,” is a catchy little ditty that will keep listeners’ haads bobbing and have them singing along with the chorus, “Hey now, you’re an all star/Get your game on, go play”. ■ However, “All Star” is only one oflthe many offerings that will get listeners to smile and think at the same time. I Some of the other songs that leave a mark are “Stoned,” “Satel lite" and “Come On Come On.” There is also a re-release of its hit ' “Can’t Get Enough Of You Baby” from the Can’t Hardly Wait Soundtrack. ■ If not for the bouncy rhythms and catchy melodies, one might think that Astro Lounge was a di rect shot at “the man,” with all the attention that Smash Mouth pays to overcoming oppression and fighting the system. But after all is said and done,, the prevailing sentiment is that these guys just want to party and have a good time. (Grade: B +) Cibo Matto Stereotype A CD Courtesy of Warner Bros. Music One should not believe every thing in the papers. Every trendy 30-something with a comb-over and a ponytail is jumping on the international music bandwagon faster than European and Latin acts can gyrate their hips. Cibo Matto, then, should be a success out of the box. It isn’t. Judging from its first major-la bel release, this album should have sounded much better. Appar ently, the idea of two little girls from the Orient trying to capture the American music scene in its entirety on every single song was too much for record execs to resist. The end result is on the Space- hog side of mediocre. Each song combines queen bee rap, female solidarity vibes and Everclear-ish harmony into a decidedly terrible whole. The entire record is so Japan-pop generic it could substi tute for a Sega Genesis game soundtrack. It is sad that two cuties from the Far East with a boatload of tal ent and a cultural view so different from the average Orange-Julius snarking American can be reduced to producing a work so full of the stereotype that Cibo Matto sounds off against in their latest release. Welcome to the American music biz, girls. (Grade: C) Various Artists Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me Soundtrack CD Courtesy of Maverick Records It would be easy to give the new Austin Powers soundtrack some statement like, “It’s smashing baby,” or “It’s groovy” but the truth is it really isn’t. The soundtrack is packed with ho-hum covers of ’60s songs that never really needed to be covered in the first place. While covers of songs such as “American Woman” and “Word Up” may be fun to hear once, they become tedious quickly. Melanie G (a.k.a. Scary Spice) does a cover of “Word Up” that makes listeners scream for the days when it was a bad Cherry Coke jin gle and not the latest victim of Spicemania. The album does, however, have a limited number of saving graces. A skewering of Will Smith’s schmaltzy “Just the Two of Us” by Mike Myers playing Dr. Evil is roll- on-the-floor hilarious. “From the moment I heard Frau say I had a clone/I knew I’d be safe because I’d never be alone.” Contributions from Big Blue Missile (with Scott Weiland) and Madonna (with Ray of Light pro ducer William Orbit) produce some high points, but the album reminds us exactly why velvet suits and go-go dancers became extinct. (Grade: C-) DJ Rap Learning Curve Higher Ground/Columbia Records On her American debut. Learn ing Curve, England’s DJ Rap shows that the world of dance and electronica is not only for the boys. She forms tracks that are hard- edged and gritty while mixing in elements of jungle, drum and bass and electronic pop. The best aspect of the album is that DJ Rap adds her own brand of originality by infusing catchy hooks while still keeping the beats large and thumping. It is not an easy task to perform, but when it works the results are amazing. On cuts like “Bad Girl” and “You Get Around,” she demon strates her belief in the power of women without alienating the op posite sex — not the simplest task in the world. The best track on the album has to be “Good To Be Alive,” which was also featured on the Go Soundtrack. Learning Curve is a very ambi tious album and shows that fu sion of musical styles can be a beautiful thing. DJ Rap definitely proves with this release that she can go toe-to- toe with any of her male counter parts. (Grade: B +) Harry Connick Jr. Come By Me Sony Music If you started listening to Harry Connick Jr. because of his reputa tion as one of the most promising big band leaders of the 20th centu ry and were baffled by his entrance into the funk and doo wop scene, then you will be pleasantly sur prised at his return to what he does best. Connick’s latest offering Come By Me is reminiscent of his earlier works Blue Light Red Light and We Are In Love. The album is a re freshing balance of new works and classic standards that showcases his talents both as a composer and musician. Connick uses both a 16- piece big band and a full sympho ny orchestra to demonstrate his mix of compositional savvy and equally impressive charm, as well as his Bing Crosby and Frank Sina tra influenced croon. Songs like the title track and “Easy For You To Say” demonstrate his knack for writing timeless pieces that would thrive in any era. His renditions of classics like “Dan ny Boy” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business” would make even Count Basie proud. Connick is a true musician in an era of wannabes who wouldn’t know a melody if it jumped up and bit them. When he is on, he can re ally take the listener back to the golden ages of swing and big band. (Grade: A) Vonda Shepard by 7:30 Jacket Records On her latest album, Shepard takes a break from her usual Mon day-night gig on TV’s “Ally McBeal.” The result is a satisfying departure from the covers she de livers on the hit series. Hints of Shepard’s powerful tal ents were heard on the soundtrack to “Ally McBeal,” but by 7:30 ex plores her easy flowing alto. The album’s opening track clears away any idea that Shep ard’s talent is limited to cover tunes on a baby grand. Left to her own devices, the album is a quiet journey into the heart of a woman with plenty to say. The album’s lyrics are at times uninspired, but Shepard’s voice can mask the most trite line. The album’s strongest track, “Baby, Don’t You Break My Heart Slow,” a tear-evoking duet with Indigo Girl Emily Saliers, showcas es Shepard’s full range of singing, piano playing and songwriting ability. The inspiring lyrics and powerful piano build up to an emotive crescendo. The majority of the album is ideal rainy day music that is quiet, yet powerful. However, Shepard doesn’t real ly divest herself of the “Ally McBeal” stereotype, which will plague her long after the show has run its course. (Grade: B) Mike Maddux — Stephen Wells ,lisdo' ( 778W lick’s Pizza PIZZA STROJVIBOLI HOAGIES Medium One Topping Pizza $3.50 *Order 3 for free delivery *B93-BUGK Now Hiring Part-Time Our new facil ity is open in the College Station Business Center! Current openings offcsr full time summer hours if desired, part-time during school. $ 3 BUI • Customer Service • PC Support • Building Maintenance • Hardware Repair & Support Other full tim e positions available as well. We offer flexible hours between ^^6 a.m. - 10 p.m., and real world work experience with opportunity for full Ud^time after graduation. All majors are encouraged to apply and training is provided. E. O.E. To apply, please call our Personnel headquarters or visit our website. 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