Section B · Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Friday, October 17, 1997
Splitsville, the soundtrack music for the newly single
By Ashlee "Rock'n" Roll
It was a slow week in the new release world, so we decided to review some of the best breakup albums. That is, music to listen to when your significant other has left you. This is by no means a comprehensive list, just some suggestions to get you started and on the road to recovery.
Nina Simone-"The Blues"-BMG Music (1970)
The title says it all. Simone, an accomplished jazz singer, turns
her talents to main stream funk and blues. The songs on "Blues" range from the
straight-ahead blues of "Do I Move You" and "Turn Me On," to tragic, depressing songs like "My Man's Gone Now" and "Nobody's Fault But Mine." Although I find most blues albums intolerable, Simone uses her deep throaty voice to create a sound that carries over into today's musical scene. "The Blues" is soulful and exciting, and it's a prime example of Simone's musical talent. As Elton John once said, "That's why they call the blues."
Liz Phair-"Exile in Guyville"-Matador Records (1993)
"Whatever happened to a boyfriend/The kind of guy who tries to win you over/And whatever happened to a boyfriend/The kind of guy who
makes l'o v e 'cause he's in it."
Before
Alanis
Mor-
risette
a n d
Garbage, there was Liz Phair. She was one of the first angry girl rockers — except she's good. Although her singing leaves a lot to be desired, her lyrics are some
of the best. "Exile in Guyville" is instant vindication for any woman who has ever been wronged by a man. Phair has the ability to put everyday situations into beautiful lyrical poetry.
It's harder to be friends than lovers/And you shouldn't try to mix the two/'Cause if you do it and you're still unhappy/Then you know that the problem is you."
The example of this gift is in the song, "Divorce Song":
Phair sings about strong women in bad situations. But the situations are ultimately by their own design and under their own control. Phair showed that women are indeed sexual creatures with cravings, just like men. "Exile in Guyville" is chock full of examples of the female experience, and it rocks.
Chris Isaak-"Forever Blue"-Reprise Records (1995)
I can't imagine anyone dumping Chris Isaak, but someone did.
O n e t h i n g t h a t came out of the breakup was a good album. "Forever Blue" d o c u .
"Nobody ever warns you/or tells you what to do/She walks away/You're left to stay/Alone, forever blue."
ments Isaak's emotional roller coaster and allows the listener access to his sad little world. The catharsis begins with "Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing" and "Somebody's Crying" then moves to the dismal, she's-never-coming-back phase with "Forever Blue."
The album is perfect for the broken-hearted because it follows the real-life ups and downs of post-breakup trauma. And like real life, just when you think you're over the heartache, you run smack into your ex and plunge directly into the abyss once again. For anyone nursing ego wounds, "Forever Blue" helps you realize that everyone gets dumped — even Chris Isaak.
If you can't get your hands on a copy of "The Trinity Sessions," "Studio" will do. These greatest
hits of the Cow b o y Junkies give a taste of mellow rock. The f i r s t three tracks
from "Studio" are off of the "Trinity Sessions" album, "Misguided Angel," "Blue Moon" and "Sweet Jane" are enough to make a perfectly happy person sad. Margo Timmins uses her haunting, soft voice to express emotion in a way few artists can. When she sings "Blue Moon," it's enough to make a grown man cry. The songs on "Studio," or for that matter, any Cowboy Junkies CD are good clean fun —but don't forget the tissue.
By Scott Eric Travors
s-travers@ukans.edu
Kansan movie guv
A few lame screams will echo throughout theaters this week as eager audiences try to enjoy the latest teen-thriller, "I Know What You Did Last Summer." Even Jim Gillespie's excellent direction and fantastic camera work fail to save
screenwriter
K e v i n
Williamson's
script, which
plays out like a
rejected version
of his earlier
and witteri
w o r k ,
"Scream."
The film does offer some great performances by Jennifer Love Hewitt ("Party of Five") and Sarah Michelle Gellar ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer"),
but Freddie Prinze Jr. is too obvious as the red herring and Ryan Phillippe seems to be the best Skeet Ulrich look-alike the filmmakers could find.
Every moment of the movie hinges on a single preposterous scene in which the four teens, after accidentally hitting a man on the highway, decide not to call the police. Fearing a murder conviction, they decide to dump the body and vow never to speak of the incident again.
However, a year later when the teens are reunited during summer break reminders of the event show up in the form of letters ("I know what you did last summer!") , a deadly car chase
Movie info
Movie: "I Know What You Did Last Summer"
Company: Columbia
Rated: R for strong horror and violence
Director: Jim Gillespie
Starring: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gallar, Freddie Prinze Jr, Ryan Phillippe
Website: www.spe.sony.com/movies/iknowwhatyoudid/
and a body in a trunk. Stalked around the city by a mysterious fisherman, the kids dart from one haven to anther, narrowly avoiding death at every turn. They are not sure whether the motive of their ordeal is revenge or sadistic pleasure. The fantastic four suspect anyone who wears a slicker.
What ensues is one trite horror sequence after another as the killer jumps out of every shadow, a format that no longer works without the spoof
treatment that made "Scream" so popular.
"I Know What You Did Last Summer" is a check-your-brain-at-the door thriller with no real $5 thrills. Seasoned horror-mystery clue-finders who spent most of "Scream" trying to determine the identity of the killer(s) will find no such joy in this movie. The clues are irrelevant and unrelated to the experiences of the characters, and even the final scene is a weakly choreographed crowd-pleaser that seems to take
place completely outside the story.
It is possible to have fun at this movie, jumping occasionally at false alarms but buy some popcorn just in case you get bored.
Vintage Ron Howard next to ask, 'Got Milk?'
The Associated Press
The milk mustache people have raised the cutie-pie factor — they've enlisted Ron Howard as their latest white-lipped spokesman.
drink milk. Only now, I'm the one giving direction."
Make that 'spokesboy' — the ad campaign features a much-younger Ronny Howard in his Opie days on "The Andy Griffith Show" with an electronically added milk mustache.
The caption reads, "Growing up, I got good at taking direction. 'Say your line here.' And, 'Drink your milk.' ... So I still
The campaign also features the adult Howard, director of films such as "Apollo 13." "Cocoon" and "Backdraft."
The ad campaign, now in its third year of getting celebrities to pose with white milk goo on their upper lips, comes from the Milk Processor Education Program dedicated to extolling the benefits of drinking milk.
A tip for the tidy: Don't mix whistling the theme song for "The Andy Griffith Show" with that milk mustache.
KU NIGHT AT THE BLADES!
Saturday, October 25th 7:35 PM KEMPER ARENA INDIANAPOLIS
7:35 PM KEMPER ARENA
KANSAS CITY BLADES VS. INDIANAPOLIS ICE
Special Group Rate $9.00
(Save Up To $ 5.00 Per Seat)
The Kansas City Blades would like to offer all KU students and faculty along with their families and friends a special group discount for our October 25th game. To receive this rate, fill out the attached form and send it to the SUA office or visit the Blades' representative in the Union on Wednesday, October 22nd, or Thursday, October 23rd between 11:00 a.m.and 1:30 p.m.
NAME:___
ADDRESS:
STATE:___ ZIP___
CITY: ___
---
ADDRESS:___
OF TICKETS: ___ X $9 = $
+ $ 2.00 (Handling)
Total Amount Enclosed: = $
DAY PHONE #:___
Check #:___
Visa___ MC___ AMEX___ DSC__
Credit Card #:___ Exp.___
Signature:___
Mail To Mary Smith And Make Check Payable To:
Student Union Activities / 1300 Oread Lawrence KS 66045
Or:
Eax Order To Mary Smith:
(785) 864-4449
ALL ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY OCTOBER 23,1997. TICKETS WILL BE MAILED TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS.
If you would like more information, please call Lisa Anderson @ (816) 842-5233.
BY Octoppe
4