Music
Section B • Page 4
The University Daily Kansan
The University
Black Eyed Peas Bridaina the Gap
Just a few years back, a little-known group from the West Coast broke into the already-crowded hip hop scene, gaining a unique reputation with peace-conscious lyrics, a live backing band and dance moves that dazzled even the old-school breakers in the audience.
Naming themselves after a soul food staple of the Deep South, the Black Eyed Peas blew up on their Interscope debut Behind the Front, garnering the attention of hip-hoppers who had grown weary of gun-toting gangstas.
s a tough act to follow, on Bridging the Gap — their second release — the Peas do an admirable job by continuing to produce live beats, melodic grooves and a hybrid aesthetic. When they do allow their DJ to do some creat diggin', he doesn't disappoint. The player played tally well in the group Mandrill, the chorus of Debble Deb's 'BOs hit "Lookout Weekend," and an infectious, percussive loop from one of jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd's funkier outings, among others.
The group's diverse makeup includes will.i.am an African American raised in East Los Angeles; apl.de.ap, who moved to the United States from the Philippines in 1989; and taboo, who is of Native-American and Hispanic descent. The three have their own flow on the mic and dance flavor on the floor. Clever lines such as "We break hearts like Tom Petty" are sprinkled in between melodic refraints that espouse the utopian side of hip-hop and dis those who have abandoned originality.
As an added bonus, *Bridging the Gap* finds De La Soul, Mos Def, Wyclef and Chali2na lending their lyrical lips and monstrous mouths to BEP's sound
collective. Macy Gray, the frontal unknown when she appeared on Behind the Fronts "Love Won't Wait," again contributes her sorrowly vocals, this time on the catchy "Request + Line."
With other West Coast underground ects such as Jurassic 5 finding a wider audience with their most recent efforts, the Black Eyed Peas face stiffer competition. And at times, their MC skills are a bit sketchy, as they can lack imagination and rely too much on physical prowess when performing live, their tight-banding, band, array of dance moves and to facilitate a vibe with the audience more than make up for it.
This album is certainly not a sophomore slump, but it is not in the same league as their first album — in all fairness, a minor masterpiece. Yet Bridging the Gap accomplishes its goal.
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Derek John
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Wallflowers - (Breach)
Jakob Dyian has turned inward on the third release from the Wallflowers.
Don't expect the catchy tunes from Bringing Down the Horse to appear on (Breach). If anything, Dylan doesn't seem to want the radio hits like "One Headlight" and "Sixth Avenue Heartache" again.
The tracks of (Breach) are personal and introspective, heavy on lyrics and light on cute hooks. Dylan's aim is laudable, but the result is an album of entirely average or slightly above average songs. With the same instrumentation throughout, each
tune sounds like the others and none stand out.
"Witness" is one of the better attempts. The lyrics, essentially about being alone, are the least vague of all the tracks. It's possible to sing along to the chorus: "You come around here/you better
bring a. *witness/everyone* here is on the guest list." The tune isn't memorable and the playing is basic, but "Witness" succeeds at making a statement.
"Mourning Train" has a different sound, just Dylan and his guitar — a nod to the elder Dylan's influence.
“Murder 101” is the first song with a good rock beat. With well-written lyrics, Dylan needed to continue in this vein. All the songs on (*Breach*), with the exception of “Murder 101,” are basically the same tempo, which gives the album its bland sound. Andrew Slate, the producer of (*Breach*), needed to tell Dylan to write a happy song so the listener won't fall asleep.
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Melitta George
More information
For audio samples of these bands, go online at www.kansan.com
Live Music Calendar
A.J. Croce, 10 p.m. at the Jazzahuis, 928
1/2 Massachusetts SL $5, 21 and older.
Broadway and Everest, 8 p.m. at the
Brooklyn, 737 New Hampton SL $6,
18 and older.
Tonight:
Tomorrow:
One Line Drawing, the Ugly Boyfriend,
5:30 p.m. at the Bottleneck, 737 New
Hampshire St. $5, All ages.
- Hosty Duo, 10.p.m. at The Jazhauz, 926
* Hosty Duo, 10.p.m. at the Jazhauz, 926
* Hosty Duo, 10.p.m. at the Jazhauz, 926
Shiner, Lafayette, 10 p.m. at The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St. $5; 21 and older, $6; 18 to 20.
1/2 Massachusetts St. 4-6
Dark Star Orchestra, 9 p.m. at Liberty Hall, 644 Massachusetts St. $12.50, all ages.
Saturday:
Then Again, 10 p.m. at The Jazzhaus,
926 1/2 Massachusetts St. $5, 21 and
older
Against All Authority, 5:30 p.m. at The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St. All ages
Son Venezuela, 10 p.m. at The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St. $4,
21 and older, $5, 18 to 20.
Doors tribute, 7 p.m. at the Granada,
1020 Massachusetts St. 18 and older.
Shia-na, 10 p.m. at The Replay Lounge.
Sundav:
946 Maeschaustee St. $2, 12 and older
The Creeping Tyranny Ball featuring Tank Farm, The Anti-Distastementarianes,
The Roundups, Public
Sothebey Hewitt, B 5 in Library Hall,
644 Maeschaustee St. $3, $4, 18 and older.
Monday:
Jazzhaus Jam with The Spanktones, 10
p.m. at The Jazzhaus, 92, 1/2
Messenger St. $1, 92 and older.
Project Logic, 8 p.m. at The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St. $8, advanced. $9, day of show, 18 and older.
Tuesday:
**ekoostik hooka and Space Pocket, 8 p.m.**
at the Bottleneck, 737 N Hampshire
St. $6, 21 and older. $7, 18 to 20.
Wednesday:
Stunpson Mill, 10 p.m. at the Jawzhaus,
926 1/2 Massachusetts St. $3, 21, and
85 1/2 Massachusetts St. $3, 21
jakob's Walt and Simon Wonderbrow and Aaron Zimmer Band, 7 p.m., at the Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St. $3, 21, and older. $4, 18 to 20.
Dar Williams, 8 p.m. at Liberty Hall, 644 Massachusetts St. $25, $21, $21
The Hammocks and The Mistreaters, 10 p.m. at the Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St. $2, 21 and older.
Elliot, B p.m. at the Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St. All ages.
Corporate Business TRAW STAPLES www.staples.com
Jobline @ (913) 541-2727 or toll free 1-888-226-9552
Contact the UPS
Before you enroll for the spring, schedule your classes before work at UPS
- Pick up the free shuttle at 3:30 after your classes and work a part-time job that fits your schedule!
- Full benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision
- $8.50 to $9.50 per hour/ NO WEEKENDS
Call pay for your opportunity for
professional advice.
- Opportunities for advancement
- Permanent part-time package handler job
- $1,500 per semester for tuition
EOE/M/F
Friday - First Friday of the Month, ESPN Radio Station will be there.
NFL Sunday - $1.50 Bud & Bud Light pints & Bud Bucks
Monday Night Football - $2.25 Fatboy Domestic Drafts
Tuesday - $2.50 Boulevard Pint, $6.00 Rock Margarita Pitchers
Wednesday - BUCK OFF NIGHT, $1.00 off all Domestic Bottles
Thursday - $2.50 Boulevards
Friday - First Friday of the Month, FSPN Radio Station will be there
843-0704
6th & Wakarusa
.