Newspaper Page Text
■ BEST BETS
ll y r;?. head . ln8 out of town thls ^ster weekend, don’t forget
to get a ticket to see classical guitarist Michael Hedges, who’ll
be performing on Tuesday, April 17. It should be a really neat
happening, so hop to It. Tickets are $4 for students.
The Red and Black • Thursday, April 12, 1990 • 5
SOUND
HOLY WEEK
WORSHIP SERVICES
Maundy Thursday
Fellowship Supper g
6:00 p.
7:00 p
Holy Communion
Good Friday
Tenebrae Sen/ice 12:30 p.
Easter Services
Sunrise Worship 6:30 a.
Regular Service 8:45 a.
11:00 a,
Athens first United ftetfwdist Church
Lumpkin between Hancock and Washington
Tickets on Sale at the two Downtown Record Stores
443 E. Hancock FISHLINE: 549-0624
An acoustic ‘Eye’
for Mr. Hitchcock
By NOEL MURRAY
Contributing Writer
Robyn Hitchcock is not the sort
of fellow who adheres to weirdness
out of some deep principle or ar
tistic statement. Although he cer
tainly wouldn’t complain if you
pinned a label on him like “psyche
delic” or “quirky” or “poppy”, he
really doesn’t seem to be mining
those veins intentionally.
In all honesty, Robyn Hitchcock
is just the sort of guy who wants to
make music like his heroes, John
Lennon and Syd Barrett. Why his
music comes out so strange is any
one’s guess. Take a look at the
opening line of his new album:
“Napoleon / Wore a black hat /
Ate lots of chicken / And conquered
half Europe ... "
With this odd biographical fact,
Robyn Hitchcock begins “Eye”, his-
latest foray into the outer limits of
quirky, psychedelic guitar pop.
Once again, his source material is
human relationships.
On “Eye,” Hitchcock has left be
hind his excellent backing band,
The Egyptians, and is working in
stead with an acoustic guitar and
an occasional tinkle of piano keys.
This is his ninth album since
leaving his original band, The Soft
Boys, in 1980, and Hitchcock wel
comes the new decade with his best
album since his 1986 work “El
ement of Light.”
This record is semi-serious, un
like his previous two moderate suc
cesses: “Globe of Frogs” and
“Queen Elvis” which, though good,
were frankly a bit silly. Hitchcock
comes back on this album with
songs that are sparse, but never
dull. Every song has a singular
sound, fused with the artist’s
unique vision.
Hitehcock sings songs with titles
such as “Flesh CarUxms”, “Queen
Elvis” (previously unreleased),
“Cynthia Mask” and “Certainly
Clickot.” Most of the world prob
ably won’t be exposed to these di
verse songs on mainstream radio
any time soon. In fact, Hitchcock
seems to be aware of the non-com
mercial nature of this album, con
sidering he released it on the
independent label Twin/Tone-
rather than his usual A&M Re
cords. But don’t think that because
it’s not radio-ready that it’s hard to
listen to. On the contrary, once the
heavy British accent becomes fa
miliar, “Eye” is thoroughly enter
taining.
The album contains songs
plainly beautiful and simply
honest such as “Linctus House”
and “Glass Hotel,” both about
relationships that have experi
enced a communication breakdown
(a common Hitchcock theme).
There are no other musical experi
ences quite like it, and few as re
warding.
It’s also a good idea to check out
one of his interesting live shows.
Hitchcock likes to tell surreal sto
ries (like the one on the insert of
the album) between songs, and he
has a unique sense of humor.
The rumor mill has it that he’ll
be lugging his acoustic guitar to
this town sometime in late May.
Keep your eyes open. Until then,
do the man and yourself a favor —
buy “Eye.”
Wry “Eye”: Robyn Hitchcock, the Master of Quirk, has re
leased a solo acoustic album on Twin/Tone Records
Crucial
Reggae
■ ALBUM REVIEW
The Chills warm up Athens
■ INTERVIEW
By RACHEL CURRY
Contributing Writer
The Chills play the 40 Watt
Thursday night. Moods Amuck
opens.
From across the sea and
straight to Athens come The
Chills. This New Zealand group
is kicking off their first coast-to-
coast U.S. tour on Thursday,
April 12 at the 40 Watt to pro
mote their latest album,“Subma
rine Bells.”
The Chills have been together
for nearly a decade. Actually,
Martin Phillipps, the lead singer,
guitar player and songwriter, has
been in The Chills for nearly a
decade. The band has endured
numerous member changes over
the years. Phillipps is the only
exception. His determination is
no doubt largely responsible for
the band’s recent success.
After years of gaining little no
tice in the U.S., the band had a
breakthrough in 1987 when they
played at the New Music
Seminar in New York City. There
was positive response to their
music and they were eventually
signed to Slash/Warner Bros.
The U.S. isn’t the only place
The Chills have begun to make
their mark. Phillips and his
bandmates had some problems
getting noticed in the London
music scene as well.
“It’s really, really tough to get
noticed there,” said Phillips in a
recent phone interview. “1 think
we finally got through to them
with the release of the latest
album.
“Somebody at Warner Bros,
came up with the idea to call us a
rock band with pop songs and I
think thai’s pretty accurate,”
said Phillipps. “We’re concerned
with primitive and primal mo
tions of rock music.”
Kandy Haecker of Slash Re
cords thinks Th*» Chillc’ "rowing
popularity is well-deserved.
“I think The Chills are an im
portant band on the forefront of a
burgeoning New Zealand music
scene,” Haecker said.
CSX TECHNOLOGY
a Unit of CSX Corporation
IS
£ IM h
COMING TO CAMPUS
April 25th
Contact your Placement Office.
The Great
April 28, 1990 1:00 - 5:00 p.m
Music By: Rebel Rouser
Down Home Country Barbeque • Magic 102 Remote
Free Cokes • Party Beverages • T-shirts • Frisbees
Koozies • Great Food • Great Give-aways
rOLLEGF
2360 W. Broad St.
548-1148
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5
Sat. 10-5
Sun. 1-5
Win 2 FREE MOVIE PASSES! Watch for MO
VIE MADNESS every week, only in THE RED &
BLACK. Just match up the theatres with the mo
vie titles, clip your completed entry, and turn it in
for the drawing. Only entries received by 5 p.m.
today will be eligible. A drawing will be held of
correct entries, and winners' names will appear
in tomorrow's paper! GOOD LUCK!
Free movie passes courtesy ol your local theatres
All entries due by 5 p.m. today at The Red & Black, 123 N. Jackson St.
All prizes must be claimed by 5 p.m. tomorrow.