B = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
ENTERTAINMENT
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Björk brings vivid vocals to 'Vespertine'
By Mandalee Meisner
Jayplay writer
Critics have used such words as magical, pixie-like and delightfully idiosyncratic to describe Björk, the Icelandic pop princess who always seems to shine so brightly above our earthly realm.
The praise is just as valid this time and perhaps even more than it was years ago when she debuted.
With the release of Vespertine, her follow-up to last year's Oscar-nominated Dancer in the Dark soundtrack, Björk continues to build an impressive body of work that marks a changing, yet consistent approach.
Vespertine is a botanical term that designates a night-blooming flower, and the title describes the mood of the album well (although the working title, Domestica, intimated the humbler aspect of the pieces).
A hushed, reverent ambiance imbues the tracks with an almost holy sense of wonder.
Björk, as usual, seeks creative sources for inspiration and sampling — using the sound of snow crunching under feet as the base for a beat loop, and another time using an ee cummings poem for her lyrics.
Her songs are more introspective and intimate, and the beats are lightened. The
first track, "Hidden Place," is a beautiful yet ambiguous love poem, which could easily be about her son as a child. She sings, "He's the beautifulest, fragileest, still strong / Dark and divine / And the littleness of his movements / Hides himself." All of the songs are sensual, and most speak of love in the most exhilarating, breathy bursts of contentment.
On a few tracks, Björk seems to purposefully heighten the album's childlike tone with the inclusion of a musical box. Rather than sounding naive, the arrangements are well placed, and the effect evokes the mood of sitting in a rocking chair by a fireplace, or the morning after winter's first frost.
Although this album marks new independence for Björk — her previous albums have usually been heavier in compilations — she describes her dependence upon the various people in her life, such as her mother and son in "Heirloom." She sings, "I have a recurrent dream / Every time I lose my voice / I swallow little glowing lights / My mother and son baked for me."
With imagery reminiscent of watching icicles drip, ("I thrive best hermit-style/ with a beard and a pipe") and a score to match, Björk has crafted a frosty but warm experience that proves — once and for all — that she can mel'
the everyday and surreal into a single Contact Meisner at 864-4810 breath.
Stereolab confuses listeners
THURSDAY, SEPT. 13, 2001
'Sound-Dust' comprises a mixture of '60s pop, car alarms in Paris
By Mandalee Meisner Jayplay writer
Much of Stereolab's Aug. 28 release, Sound-Dust, is reminiscent of a series of orchestrated car alarms going off somewhere in Paris.
Yet, after 10 years of mixing the sounds of '60s pop with repetitive electronica, the still slightly obscure French-English partnership of Tim Gane and Laetitia Sadier pulls
together a pop album that either delights or irritates, depending on one's sensibilities.
Modern French music has, historically, been the sonic equivalent of English food—the victim of countless international jabs (most justified).
However, with the recently transpired revolution in francophone music — an effort led mostly by Air—the country has somewhat redeemed its reputation.
With Sound-Dust, Stereolab backtracks into an easy-listening, muzak-inspired vibe of yesteryear
but we can't really blame them for doing what comes naturally.
Sadier's droning voice oscillates between French and English
throughout the album, and both sound similarly muffled and indistinguishable.
If you actually read the lyrics, they're just as apathetic and scatter-brained as they seem. In "Les Bons Bons Des Raisions," Sadier sings about "Sheila my torment, my brother/ She gives me chocolate/ la la la la/ la la la la la."
Well. franklv. who cares?
Stereolab may take us back 40 years to a land of plush '60s lounge jazz, but it's a trip one would probably rather not take. That is, unless you like car alarms.
Contact Meisner at 864-4810
New Ezra CD gets closer to ordinary
By Nicole Roche Jayplay writer
The only problem is, I could have sworn this band used to be a rock group.
Veteran listeners—like myself—of Better Than Ezra undoubtedly cringe every time they hear the band's poppy new single "Extra Ordinary." It has, after all, leapt from the bowels of the charts to No. 18 on the Adult Top 40 in the past month.
Closer, the band's fourth effort released Aug. 7, is a confusing album to digest for even the most devoted fan.
There are a handful of great songs:"Briefly,""Get You In." "A Lifetime" and the title track "Closer."
Then it seems the band just wanted to mess around and have a good time, which resulted in tracks such as "Recognize" and "Extra Ordinary." Maybe this has something to do with the collaborative efforts of DJ Swamp, who appears on both tracks.
Better Than Ezra does get around to dragging out the guitar a la *Friction, Baby* from '96 on tracks "Sincerely, Me" and "Misunderstood," although some of these songs end up sounding more like Blink 182 or Lit.
To the band's credit, '98's How Does Your Garden Grow was an amazing album, although largely overlooked. Perhaps the band members are trying to re-establish themselves by going straight for the jugular of pop radio.
This is not a bad album by any means. In fact, when these guys are good, they are unbelievable. It just seems Closer was designed to reach out to two audiences - hard-core Better Than Ezra fans and, ahem, people who like pop. But at least it's decent pop.
Contact Roché at 864-4810
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ALL ORDERS ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE BY DELL. Pricing, availability or other terms of offer may be withdrawn or charged with notice. Taxes and shipping charges extra, and vary. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. U.S. only. **Available** may be limited, especially during peak times. METRES: 120 cm x 60 cm x 30 cm. **Maximum promotion period**: Even during promo period, telephone access charges on your phone bill (call your phone number) will incur a $10 fee, which is one-tenth of the promotional period. Even during promo period, telephone access charges on your phone bill (call your phone number) will incur a $10 fee, which is one-tenth of the promotional period. Even during promo period, telephone access charges on your phone bill (call your phone number) will incur a $10 fee, which is one-tenth of the promotional period. Even during promo period, telephone access charges on your phone bill (call your phone number) will incur a $10 fee, which is one-tenth of the promotional period. Even during promo period, telephone access charges on your phone bill (call your phone number) will incur a $10 fee, which is one-tenth of the promotional period. Even during promo period, telephone access charges on your phone bill (call your phone number) will incur a $10 fee, which is one-tenth of the promotional period. Even during promo period, telephone access charges on your phone bill (call your phone number) will incur a $10 fee, which is one-tenth of the promotional period. Even during promo period, telephone access charges on your phone bill (call your phone number) will incur a $10 fee, which is one-tenth of the promotional period. All orders are subject to applicable taxes and duties. **Reproduction or Microsoft Corporation** Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to other products or brands that are marked or named by the marks and names of others. ©Copyright 2001 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved. Reproduction or Microsoft Corporation o
*Dell Faculty, Student and Staff Program Mall-In-Rebate offer valid only with eligible U.S. Dell Faculty, Student and Staff Purchase Program Dimensions PCs and select Inventory notes ordered between Aug 27, 2003, and Oct 15, 2001. Rebate form is available at www.dellelfisher/giveaway. Rebate amounts: Dimension 4900, $1080, $1960, $2100, $50; Importon supplies not included in any Dell discounts or offers. Not valid for products that last less than 10 days and do not substitution or misorders. Cannot be combined with any other Dell discounts or offers. Factory is fully compiled and must include a copy of dated packing slip for purchase made direct from Dell for qualifying product purchased. Made in materials of all materials listed. May not be resold or otherwise unauthorized. You are not responsible for lost, late, or misdirected mail. Requests must be postaged by M.D. 2055. Please allow up to 10 weeks for receipt of check. Rebate checks are valid if not carried within 18 years of age or older. Void where prohibited.
*No Purchase Necessary to enter or win this sweepstakes. Entrants must be legal residents living within the United States and 18 years or older at the time of entry. Employees, officers, and directors of Dell Computer Corporation ("Dell") and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, and their immediate families and those living in the nearby households, are not eligible. Void will be prohibited or restricted. See official rules for details. To enter go to www.dell.com/sf/glawrave or send a 3-1/2" X 5" card with name, address, telephone number and e-mail address to Back to School Sweepstakes; ATTN: OL; Hassel; One Dell Way; Mail Stop Rockland TX 76826. Complete rules can be obtained at www.dell.com/sf/glawrave or by writing to Back to School Sweepstakes; ATTN: L; Hassel; One Dell Way; Mail Stop B454, Round Rock, TX 76822.
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