THURSDAY, FEB. 14, 2002
NEWS
Holstein's second CD a triumph
By Brad Weiner Jayplay writer
Warning. The following music review is not related to Valentine's Day. Rose-carrying, stair-eyed romantics should proceed with caution.
Holstein is back and they are better than ever. This week, the Lawrence band released its second CD Dance of the Flatlander to a small consortium of friends, fans and University Daily Kansan reporters.
The CD's cover art is a colorful cartoon that depicts a naked couple dancing with their dogs in a small cosmopolitan apartment. Both man and woman are lost in their own groove as the music takes them to some sort of auditory understanding. Presumably, they are listening to Holstein as they get down, because while listening to the band's music, it is pretty tough not to.
The title track is a complex, multi-part opus that would impress any Zappa fiend. It starts with a subtle, catchy guitar ostinato played by Jeff Jackson. Only two measures later, the whole band jumps in with a crisp beat, a driving, techno-like bass line and heavily distorted guitar leads. The song cruises through several well rehearsed changes the first of which takes the listener into a section that is reminiscent of later Pink Floyd mixed with early Phish. Sometimes there is more space than sound, sometimes it's reversed.
Bassist David Brodie takes care of the low end with elementary licks played with exemplary drive. The drumming, provided by Alex Logan is impeccable, particularly on the goofy rocker "Ottawa," a city that, according to the band, smells like the "sizzling stench of crystal meth."
Holstein has put together a great collection of originals. If the band's music sounds like a
fugitive from the seventies, the lyrics are recent escapees from the schools of Ween, Weezer and Beck. Holstein obviously doesn't take themselves too seriously.
One tune, "Basketball," has the interesting line, "Basketball and Jesus Christ/One day a sinner drinkin' Natty Lite." Take that how you will, it caused this particular reviewer to laugh even while stuck in traffic on 435 South.
It is noteworthy that the sound value on Dance of the Flatlander is perfect. Although self-produced, the record is mixed perfectly and includes the finer — and funnier — intricacies of Holstein's rich sound.
The best tune on the album is "Rachel's Song." The groovy ballad contains one of the most truthful lines ever written into a rock song "I wouldn't be so cynical/If you wegen't so stereotypical."
The last cut on the album is
called "Ode to Gwar." It is a mistitled tune that is drenched in a Phishy sound. The first part is like the soundtrack to a cartoon set in a wonderfully psychedelic munchkin wonderland. The tight choruses fall more into line as a Gwar-inspired heavily metal interpretation. After a few rounds, it blasts into a full-blown power chord frenzy fit for a head-banging spree.
Holstein is playing a CD release party Saturday, Feb. 16 at The Pool Room, 925 Iowa. According to the band, its gig "starts early and ends late." The cover is $5.
So, Grab a copy of Dance of the Flatlander , and close the blinds because you may find yourself dancing naked by your stereo until the break of dawn. Of course, since it is Valentine's Day, you may have plans like this already.
Contact Weiner at bweiner@kansan.com.
GAMES
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
cle, and one player starts by saying "I've never..." — what follows is up to the speaker.
For example, the speaker might say, "I've never cleaned my toilet with my roommate's toothbrush." Anyone who is guilty of this deed must drink. If there is only one person who has to drink, that player must also divulge the details surrounding his or her action. Play continues to the right. This game can really get interesting if you happen to know a few not-so-well-known stories about other players.
A fast-paced thinking game is Categories. This game is set up similarly to I Never, but this
time the speaker selects a category, such as makes of cars. Play moves to the right, and players must come up with a make of car immediately. The first person to fail must drink. Possible categories are only limited by the constraints of your imagination.
Now for the game that has baffled college students for generations: Connections — also known as Circle of Death. Cards are spread in a circle in the middle of a ring of friends. Before the game begins players must designate various activities for the cards.
For example, any time a heart is drawn players must tell an embarrassing story about themselves, players must fire random questions at each other when a Queen is drawn, or one card is
considered the 'death' card that, when drawn, requires the recipient to down a community drink in the middle of the circle or to take a shot. The game ends when all of the cards are drawn.
These assignments are are just suggestions, but all activities must be assigned before play begins. Writing them down ahead of time is a good idea because it will prevent confusion later.
The last suggested game is Lick the Card, Stick it to Your Forehead and Try to Guess What Card You Drew. Haven't heard of this one? That is because it was just made it up — the name is open to revision. However, a "test group" had such a good time trying it out that it may be an instant classic.
For the game, cards are scattered face down in front of players and one player selects a random card. Without looking at the face of the card, the player guesses the card's value. If the player guesses five but has drawn a seven, he must make up the difference by taking two drinks seven minus five. If the player draws a five and guesses a five, all other players must take five drinks.
Face cards are worth 10, and aces are worth 1 or 11, dictated by the largest difference between guessed value and actual value.
Use your imagination, have a good time and give Valentine's Day the party it deserves.
Contact Murphy at dmurphy@kansan.com.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 5B
LAWRENCE AUTOMOTIVE DIAGNOSTICS INC.
842-8665 2858 2858 Four Wheel Dr.
KU Vietnamese Student Association
proudly presents
Tet 2002 Year of the Horse
Come join us for an evening of culture, entertainment,
and fun as we celebrate the new year!
Date: Saturday, February 16,2002 Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Kansas Union Ballroom
Party with us afterwards at 11 p.m. at the ECM! Admission for the show and the party are free! Visit our website: http://raven.cc.ukans.edu/~kuvsa
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