Page 12
Friday, November 19, 1982
Daily Nebraskan
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Friend or Foe
Adam Ant
Epic
"Friend or Foe," Adam's third LP in as many years,
continues his display of himself. His first album (with
the back-up group The Ants), "Kings of the Wild Front
ier," was a breath of fresh air in the stagnating British
punknew wave scene of 1980. Resurrecting the glamour
rock days of Marc Bolan and early David Bowie, he
arrived with a pre-cut but full-blown image as a romantic
swashbuckler with American Indian overtones. He wore
braided pirate coats and war paint. Sitting Bull meets
Captain Bligh.
Regardless of where Adam's romantic pirate-cum-Indian
image came from, it has made him a teen idol
in England and, to a lesser degree in the United States.
His second album, "Prince Charming," continued the
romantic theme, but was considered by most critics to
be a weak follow-up to his initial success.
With his third effort, the main Ant has fumigated
his back-up Ants and returned to the driving beat of
his first record. The only surviving Ant on "Friend or
Foe" is Marco Pirroni, and his influence is evident as co
producer and lead guitarist.
Adam also has added horns to his new line-up, and
the overall result is a sound as punchy and fun as "New
Kings of the Wild Frontier." Also, the present group
contains only one drummer, compared to the previous
two, and the emphasis is slightly more melodic than
previously.
Mr. Ant (actually Stuart Godard) has never been one
to hide his songwriting influences, and "Friend or Foe"
is perhaps even more obvious with his allegiances. The
title cut has a chorus with a strong XTC-ish sound.
"Something Girl" sounds like a cross between John
Sebastian and guitar ace Carlos Alomar. "Hello, I Love
You" is a remake of Jim you-know-who's classic.
Adam talks about himself in all but the last which is
an instrumental song on the album. His attitude on
"Friend or Foe" is just that. Either you are with him
or you aren't. He sums up that idea on the title cut:
want those who get to know me
To become admirers or my enemies
As I said before, Adam Ant is an egotistical guy who
enjoys singing about himself. If that idea bothers or
bores you, you'd be better off by taking his own advice
and leave him alone. If it doesn't, there's enough good
songs and fun music in "Friend or Foe" that you could
probably learn to love it.
Record review by Billy Shaffer
Wh
en Benatar sings Wo,
9
ou fee
I like jumping
Get Nervous
Pat Benatar
Chrysalis
On her latest album, "Get Nervous," Pat Benatar
continues to go full circle from the I-know-you're-gonna-dump-me-lut-how-about-one-more-for-old-time's-sake
of
the hit "Shadows of the Night" to the love-is-pain-but-ril-survive-and-boy-you're-gonna-be-sorry
of "Little Too
Late."
In "Shadows Of The Night" Benatar pleads:
You can cry tough baby
It's all right
You can let me down easy
But not tonight.
In "Little Too Late" she warns:
hear ya had a good offer down on Third Avenue
You told me that was the reason for what you put me
through
Now you come collapsin ' back
I feel the heat of your attack
I'm givin'you the sack
Sayin ' don 't waste your time.
The entire album's theme isn't new to Benatar.
Since her debut album, "In The Heat Of The Night,"
Benatar has shown how indestructible she is to all of us
heartless males. Old theme, but not a boring one.
Benatar's uniquely powerful voice coupled with the
tripping licks from hubby Neil Geraldo's guitar gives the
listener the feeling that when the singer says "frog, "
you'd better jump. You know that she's not just mildly
upset with the relationship. She's livid, and, by God,
you'd damn well better pack you toothbrush.
No matter how good her band is, however, the true
highlight of any Benatar performance is that voice.
Every time that 98-pound set of vocal chords opens her
mouth, it sounds as if the song is coming from way down
deep in her shoes.
This is rock'n'roll from the female point of view. It
certainly isn't from the Clearasil, back-seat, high school
setting of the Go-Go's. The only other female who can
even come close to Benatar's voice and the emotion
thrown forth with it is the Pretender's Chrissie Hynde.
Besides "Shadows of the Night," other standout cuts
include "Looking for a Stranger," "The Victim" and the
title track "Anxiety (Get Nervous)."
Benatar says this is her favorite of her four albums. I
agree.
Buy the album, but for heaven's sake, guys, don't
go out and break any hearts. Because if you do, it sounds
as if Benatar will hear about it and you don't want her
miffed at you.
Hell hath no fury. . .
Record review by Randy Wymore
Diana Ross - well-crafted talent
Silk
Diana Ross
MCA
Diana Ross makes well-crafted pop music. "Silk"
follows right along in that tradition (which is no sur
prise), as Ross' experience at doing this stuff dates back
to the glory days of Motown. The breathy vocals are still
there, but the sound is more "80s in approach, as every
thing is in its place and perfect.
For a lot of artists, being too well-produced is a bad
move, but Ross can pull it off. For instance, "Silk"
has strings all over the place, and it actually works.
Ross is high up in the pop pantheon by now, with people
like Frank Sinatra and Paul McCartney. At their level,
the music, while still important, is secondary to their
being personalities. Diana Ross will continue indefinitely
to make movies, play Vegas and make sexy, sophisticated
music.
She also has managed to maintain her integrity while
being completely independent. Instead of becoming
self-indulgent, Diana Ross Productions continues to do
right by its artist.
One smart move was snagging Michael Jackson to
write and produce the hit single "Muscles," which is
right in the same tradition as her hot AM singles "Love
Hangover" and "Upside Down." Jackson's own records
are what the Rolling Stones should be doing nowadays,
and his magic touch works once again with Ross. Jackson
played on the latest album by my old buddy Joe "King"
Carrasco, who said that Jackson is a complete wizard
in the studio.
"Muscles" is, logically enough, the best tune here.
Nice role reversal, as Ross sings about secondary sexual
characteristics she likes in men "as long as he's beautiful."
This should be a lesson for young guys to get in shape.
A recent study came out saying that adults are in
the best shape they've ever been in, while younger people
are going to pot. Look at Jane Fonda's example and get
to the gym.
Ross would approve.
"Turn Me Over" is a hard rocker, of all things, that
works. It features lots of loud guitar, which makes it
sound like Blondie's "Rapture" on speed, and a real cute
ending, as side one closes with Ross saying, "Turn me
over." The other stuff is ballads, heavy on the strings,
and should appeal to a wide cross section of people -dancers,
adults, radio programmers, etc.
Andy (anything for a buck) Warhol did the cover,
which is a great leap forward from his last cover art
for Billy Squier. Time to go to the Y and jam to
"Muscles."
Record review by Pat Higgins
Chelsea 's Pub series
offers jazz variations
A Jazz ensemble with a Jimmy Smith style,
the Subby Anzaldo Jr. Trio, will perform blues
and energetic jazz tonight and Saturday night at
Chelsea's Pub in East Park Plaza.
Anzaldo plays drums, Jerry Jacoby plays sax and
John Mallard, the most famous member of the trio,
plays bass. Mallard has performed with Freddie
Hubbard, Joe Walsh and Alphonsc Muazan of the
original Weather Report.
The Chelsea's series is sponsored by the Capitol
Jazz Association. The series is the main thrust of the
organization's campaign to build a steady home for
jazz in Lincoln.
Many local and regional artists have appeared
a ready including Tom Larson, Tomllennig,
Nancy Marshall, Luigi Waitcs. Claude Williams,
Wayne Rollins, Opic and the Unity Jazz Quartet.
Future engagements also are planned.
Nov. 26 and 27, the Neoclassic Jazz Orchestra,
a 17-piece big band, will perform a set of dance
style jazz and two ets of big band jazz.
Dec. 3 and 4 the Universe Jazz Quintent, an
?t! ? tTlyt UNL music l"dcnts, will perform
jazz-funk fusion.
Dec 10 and 1 1, the Harvi Griffin Trio will per
hTnlirf 1a iontcmP"ry jazz. Griffin, on harp.
ff ed hree U.S. presidents. Rusty
mu c' m R f' 3 UN aSSisUn! Professor of
music. Bill Bolmcier is on drums.
Dec. 17 and 18, the Clarke-Hofer Trio, a group
n,neJPer,enCCd laZZ musicians from Lincoln and
Omaha, will perform in Lincoln under this name.
