THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2002
MUSIC
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 11
Albums renew spotlight on local scene, Aguilera
Christina Aguilera, Stripped,RCA
Those familiar with only the album cover and the first single, "Dirty," be forewarned: this is not
a CD full of suggestive, sweaty bump-and-grind beats. Christina Aguilera's Stripped features strong lyrics, smooth ballads and exceptional talent.
Each of the 20 tracks —14 of them cowritten by Aguilera — have a creative edge and style that was missing from her first album. Stripped showcases a more mature and confident Aguilera and includes three collaborative efforts with Lil' Kim, Redman and Alicia Keys.
The manufactured, bubble-gum sound on her first album is gone — you can actually hear individual instruments — and the cutesy, sing-song melodies about "holdin'
hands, makin' plans," and "blowin' kisses" are nowhere to be found.
The album opens by directly explaining title and intention: "I will never hide what I really fee! ... there is no hype, no glass, no pretense, just me, stripped." The individual tracks display not only Aguilera's voice but her personal style and life experiences.
Venting frustration ("Fighter"), suggestive relations ("Get Mine, Get Yours"), Latin background and first love ("Infatuation"), leaving the wrong guy ("Walk Away") and a painful family memory ("I'm OK").
At the core of Stripped's catchy beats and sassy lyrics are Aguilera's impressive vocals - soft and enveloping on the ballads, bold and demanding on the more upbeat dance tracks. She is direct without being overbearing, empowering without being pushy and moving without forcing tears.
This woman knows what she is doing.
Look out for what she tries to tackle next.
— Kare White
Various artists, Loaded in Lawrence, Pipeline Records
With the 2002 release of Loaded in Lawrence, local musicians witnessed a resurrection. Not only was it the return of the
storied Loaded compilation—it signaled a call to ignite a renewed national spotlight to the scene.
Eighteen bands with musical styles ranging from ska to indie to crunching hardcore showcased their best during three nights of blistering concerts last April at the Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St.
The opening track, "Garlic," features the loud avant-garde sounds of Be/Non.
Mixing male and female vocals and a prismatic array of instrumentation "Garlic" sets a strong pace to the album.
Full Feature offers a layered track in "That One Song," which begins lightly melodic then builds to a combination of distortion and soaring vocals.
Switching gears from rock, DJ Not A DJ recorded "70/10" an intricately swirling concoction of samples and electronic beats.
Rock returned later on in the album with a vengeance as the hardcore group Truth Cell broke into "Evolution," with crashing waves of distortion and throat-scarring vocals.
Proudentall recorded "Spectre," a song marked by pressing lyrics and backed by loud guitars.
The album offers a fast-paced slice of Lawrence's musical life that is loaded to perfection.
Patrick Cady
Hard rocker eases wait for 'rock saviors' to rescue scene
Everyone is looking for the next Nirvana to end this hellacious era of rock led by Creed and a slew of other over-the-top bands.
POP VULTURE
Bands like the Strokes, the Vines and the White Stripes have been given the title of "rock saviors," but they don't really seem to be catching on in a big way as Nirvana did.
I'm going to reveal a nice outlet for rock fans while we wait around for the next big thing. Andrew W.K. is his name, and rocking hard is his game.
To be quite honest, he rocks harder than anyone I've ever heard in my life. I would
Marc Ingber
mingber@kansan.com
consider him a revivalist of '80s hard rock party music reminiscent of Motley Crue and Poison, but those bands are kiddle music compared to Andrew.
I'm sure everyone is going to say that '80s hard-rock party music is stupid and
childish. The thing is, Andrew knows it's stupid and childish, but that's all the more reason for him to embrace it.
He's all about rocking out and having a good time. Some of his song titles include "It's Time to Party," "Party Hard" and "Party 'Til You Puke."
For those who think Kiss' music is too intellectual, look no further than Andrew W.K.
Pick up his album J Get Wet and get overtaken by a musical force that doesn't give you time to catch your breath.
The album cover features Andrew's face in a bloody mess. Rumor has it that he
smashed his face with a cinder block just for the album cover photo shoot.
I'm telling you folks, he's hardcore.
Andrew W.K. is way too hardcore for mainstream America, not to mention insane. Call me stupid, but I can't see him ever getting the same kind of popularity Nirvana did.
Nevertheless, I doubt he really cares. He's the type of guy who will be rocking hardcore whether he has one fan or a thousand.
And if he keeps bringing the rock like no one else before him, I'll know that he at least has one in yours truly.
KJHKTOP10
ARTIST Recording
1 ARCHETYPE Freehand Formula
2 KOUFAX Social Life
3 SMALL BROWN BIKE/CASKET LOTTERY Split
4 HAR MAR SUPERSTAR You Can Feel Me
5 SIGUR ROS ()
6 MINUS THE BEAR Highly Refined Pirates
7 THE BLAM The Blam
8 ALUMINUM GROUP Happyness
9 MOUNTAIN GOATS Tallahassee
10 LIARS Fins To Make Us
More Fish-Like [EP]