Hatfield breaking new ground
Courtesy of Atlantic Records
Juliana Hatfield, known for her work with Blake Babies
and the Lemonheads and now a solo artist, plays Omaha’s
Ranch Bowl Saturday.
By Jeff Randall
Music Critic
After breaking out ofbands such
as the Blake Babies and the
Lemonheads, it seems Juliana
Hatfield has
had yet another
mold to escape.
In the past,
she has been
seen by many
as a gifted
songwriter, but
not a serious
rock ‘n’ roller.
But “Only Ev
erything,” Hatfield’s latest release,
rights this misconception.
This album is a rollercoaster
blend of melodic, lighthearted pop
and fiery, fast-moving rock.
The first track, “What a Life,”
rockets off with a hard and speedy
guitar line, jumping into an an
them-like progression. Hatfield’s
high and airy voice sharply con
trasts the musical lead, cutting
through the guitar Iravy sound
with beautiful simplicity.
And at the same time, songs
such as “Live On Tomorrow” revel
in the musical light, trading in
distortion pedals for clear and any
thing but fuzzy guitar noise.
Hatfield’s sounds may change
throughout this album and her oth
ers, but her commitment to strong
songwriting has never faltered.
Whether exploring topics such as
heartbreak, love, anger, jealousy
or the definition of beauty, she
always maintains a high standard.
Music fans will get the chance
to witness that standard in action
Saturdaynight, when Hatfieldtakes
the stage at Omaha’s Ranch Bowl.
Opening for Hatfield will be
John Doe, former singer and gui
tarist for Los Angeles punk band
X.
Tickets for the all-ages show
are $9.75, $ 11.75 on the day of the
show. The music will begin at 9
p.m.
Music Reviews
The Wannabes
“Popsucker”
Deja Disc
Grade: B
“Popsucker” proves that even
wannabes occasionally have tal
ent.
The album title is a good de
scription for the sound — pop
like, yet grungy. The guitar is an
guished, but still a solid rock sound.
Best of all, it crunches. Not just the
guitar, but the bass and the drums.
Maybe even the vocals.
The Wannabes are a rock band
based around adrenaline, the rush,
the high and the frenzy. Strangely
enough, it’s hard to imagine these
boys as being anything but person
able, a garage band made up of
guys you knew in high school.
“Spotless,” the opening track,
is a good sampling of what the
album is like. The Telecaster gui
tar is an energetic jam, the drums
are a good thumping beat and
Jennings’ voice is somewhere be
tween scream and croon.
Part of the fun of the Wannabes
is in the twisted sound and feel
good atmosphere. With songs like
“Boxing Manual” and “Ex Girl
friend Record Review” (which, if
you pay attention to the lyrics, will
have you chuckling), one has to
crack a smile somewhere in the
album.
“Would You Care To Dance” is
a bit unnecessary though. A third
of the way into the album, the
drums start rolling over and over
again, the guitars squelching in
bad noise (as opposed to good
noise) and the pathetic voice call
ing “Would you care to dance"
will make you glad it’s only 40
seconds long.
Everyone on the record can play,
though, which is what holds the
album together. “Coffee Can"
opens with a quirky standout bass
line, a rarity in the days where
everyone wants to be a guitarist.
Add in the fact that you have
two ’70s covers, “Don’t Bring Me
Down" by Jeff Lynne as well as a
variation (which is an understate
ment) of Fleetwood Mac’s “The
Chain," and you start to wonder
about these guys.
The Wannabes have got a good
name for their band, because while
they’re pretty good, they still aren’t
creme-de-la-crop material. They
lack that coherent spark to make
them excellent, rather than good.
That doesn’t mean they aren’t
worth a listen, just that it’s no
record breaker.
— Cliff A. Hicks
••••••••••••••••••••••••I
Spotlight Guests
Andy Vuko
&
Jeff McGill
OCTOBER 12
Sponsored by: Union Crib at 9 PM.
University Health Center's [jk Free Mocktnih I
ipr nnd Mnnchinsi
Students Taking a New Direction
ISO Presents!
INTERNATIONAL BANQUET '95
Sunday, Oct. 22, 7:30 pm Centennial Room
Non Students $12 each • Additional Non Students Family Members $10 each
Students & Spouses $10 each • Children (under 12) $5 each
Tickets: Int’i Affairs, R St. 472-5358 • Booth in the Union Oct. 16-20
International Cuisine and Cultural Shows
Buffet featuring foods from Bangladesh, Egypt.
Tommy
Davidson
Of
"In Living
Color"
Tuesday, October 17th
8:00 pm
’ Lied Center _
$5 UNL Students
$8 General Public
With special musical opening by UNL's Own
Rudy "Rude Boy" Moseley
Tickets Available at Lied Center Box-Office
