Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 13, 1995)
New Generation X novel examines life without God Douglas Coupland “Life After God” Pocket Books Grade: B Douglas Coupland’s latest effort, “Life After God” poses this question: What will happen to the first generation raised without religion? •- . What happens when you have drugs, Dr. Seuss and swimming pools but no God? Yes, this is the same author who brought us “Generation X.” And yes, this novel is about a bunch of confused, angst-ridden X ers. But don’t turn off or tune out, because it’s actually pretty good. The book, which has just become avail -• able in paperback, is divided into eight parts, and each part is told by a different twentysomething. To suit your “Sesame Street”-MTV short attention span, Coupland’s stories are short and sweet and accompanied by simplistic drawings. A Gen X picture book, so to speak. Coupland’s narrators were raised in good homes in good neighborhoods. Some are married, a few have children. But none of them have any answers. i nai s wnat religion is, really—answers. His narrators have all the right questions: Why am I here? Where am I going and who will be there to meet me? And of course, what is love? They try to find answers in their careers, in their lovers and in small yellow pills, but they don’t find peace. As Coupland’s most eloquent and interesting narrator reveals: “My secret is that I need God—that I am sick and can no longer make it alone. I need God to help me give because I no longer seem capable of giving; to help me be kind, as I no longer seem capable of kindness; to help me love, as I seem beyond being able to love.” One section especially taps deep into the Generation-X psyche. “The Dead Speak” relates several narrators’ memories, fanta sies and nightmares about nuclear war. Coupland’s style is natural and sincere. He shifts freely between his narrators, and each narrator has a distinct voice. He writes in easily digestible scenes. Reading “Life After God” is almost as easy as watching television. — Rainbow Rowell Various Artists “Smooth Grooves: A Sensual Col lection” Rhino Records Grade: A Tum down the lights. Yeah. Kickback, relax, close your eyes. That’s right... relax. Now pop in some “Smooth Grooves.” Oh yeah. If this four-volume set of love songs can’t put you and your honey bunny in a romantic mood, you’re looking for love in all the wrong places. Say goodbye, pack up the station wagon and move on. Only a big piece of granite could resist softening up after listening to a few tunes from this compilation of slow moving R&B hits. The albums feature all original recordings from artists such as Aretha Franklin, the Stylistics, the Isley Brothers, Force MDs and the Average White Band. This is not a greatest-hits collec tion. It includes many gems never released as singles. And the songs weren’t chosen on the basis of their original popularity. They seem to have been lovingly selected and placed in just the right spot to en hance each volume’s mood. And nothing disturbs the mood. Well, almost nothing. There’s a fine line between romantic and cheesy. Sometimes the corny lyrics and the drippy faucet guitars just get to be too much. For example, the Floaters kick off Volume 3 with “Float On,” which opens with all the members saying their names and astrological signs in their best Barry White voices. You can’t help but giggle. And when you’re giggling, it’s hard to smooch. , u-i f! nf.nr^fiwbm RaweJL Cake “Motorcade of Generosity” Capricorn Records Grade: A I’m stumped by this one. I know I like it, but I’m not sure why. The only things I’m sure of are that it’s called “Motorcade of Gen erosity,” it’s by a Sacramento band called Cake, and it’s good. It’s a cross between bossa nova and Caribbean music. No, maybe its low-fidelity guitar music. But then again, one or two of the songs have a country-western sound. I just can’t decide. But this I know: “Motorcade of Generosity” is, without a doubt, one ofthe best albums I’ve heard in a long time and by far the best I’ve heard this year. The opening song, “Comanche,” is so instantly absorbing that I had a hard time bringing myself to get past it — I didn’t want to find out that this was another one of “those” albums. You know, those albums that start off 'great, but by some unknown force, the talent grinds to a halt immediately following track No. 1. After a few minutes of recycling “Comanche,” I forged ahead, brav ing fits of anticipated disappoint ment. But the last thing I ended up being was disappointed. Track two, “Ruby Sees All,” was great. Track three, “Up So Close,” was even better. And on and on until I reached the end and found a 13 -trdck'&lbum that hardly ever dis appointed and most often elated. Singer/guitarist John McCrea croons like a reformed Las Vegas lounge singer, letting his smooth words flow into the music in a seem ingly effortless motion. McCrea doesn’t sing about the bitter angst of his generation or the terrors of past relationships. “Comanche” is a self-improvement lesson put to music. “Pentagram” is a country-western tale of a guy and his Satan-worshipping girlfriend. These songs defy concrete inter pretations and avoid categorization into the typical. In other words, this is great music. The rest of the band comple ments the lyrics with a style all their own, jumping back and forth and in-between musical genres. Cake has developed its own genre, and it’s one that I hope to hear a lot more of in the near future. —Jeff Randall ^__ The UNL Department of Housing has great summer employment opportunities! •Earn from $5 to $7.25 per hour! •Positions available for Renovation and Custodial projects. •Guaranteed 40 hours per week, with overtime opportunities. 4ggj •Flexible Schedules. •Experience in painting, carpentry, electrical, and/or plumbing helpful. Great opportunity to experience a variety of building renovations. Apply in person to your residence hall maintenance office or 1100 Seaton Hall for an interview appointment. Daytime Tanning Specials To Anyone Who Tans Between the Hours of 9am and 2pm. ONLY s2495 For one month unlimited tanning! 4703 Prescott, Suite B, next to Stacey's Lockeroom Call 404-8311 for an appointment or just stop by. Now that you have your computer account you can discover how to tap into the resources available to you on the internet. These classes are free and no reservations are required. Seats are available on a first come, first served basis. Call 472-0515 if you have any questions. Intro to E-Mail Monday, March 13 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Bancroft Hall, 239 Monday, March 13 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Bancroft Hall, 239 Thursday, March 16 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Bancroft Hall, 239 Friday, March 17 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Bancroft Hall, 239 Monday, March 27 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Bancroft Hall, 239 Thursday, March 30 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Bancroft Hall, 239 Advanced E-Mail Thursday, March 16 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Bancroft Hall, 239 Friday, March 31 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Bancroft Hall, 239 Gopher Monday, March 13 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Bancroft Hall, 239 Friday, March 17 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Bancroft Hall, 239 Electronic News Tuesday, March 28 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Bancroft Hall, 239 Finger/Talk Tuesday, March 14 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Bancroft Hall, 239 Monday, March 27 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Bancroft Hall, 239 World Wide Web using Lynx Wednesday, March 15 11:30 -1:00 p.m. Bancroft Hall, 239 File Manager Tuesday, February 14 10:30 - 12:00 noon Bancroft Hall, 239