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Page 16
■; Flagpole Magazine
November 20, 1991
Ear Wax Facts
Lucy Brown
Lucy Brown (Atlantic Records)
Lucy Brown is a new Band from the Washington, D C.
area. Their debut album, unfortunately, is a perfect ex
ample of what big recording labels are doing to alternative
music. Lucy Brown’s music sounds pretty good but
originality is scarce on this album.
Due to Atlantic Records' commercial presence,
Lucy Brown comes off sounding a lot like Living
Color. The bass lines, lyrics and vocals sound very
familiar to any fan of Living Color. Songs like ‘‘Skyburn"
and "It Takes Me Higher' are good tunes but they
sound like they were commercially tailored by Atlan
tic executives. By this I mean that the musical ar
rangements are highly polished and the lyrics seem
to be molded into the popular funk rock fusion style.
The rest of the album follows the same unoriginal
pattern.
This band, though, has some great talent. The
bassist and drummer are fine players and the guitar
ist produces some good riffs. Most of the songs were
not bad either but I think the band was forced to
compromise its sound for the sake of commercial
benefits. Lucy Brown had better get away from the
over powering influence of Atlantic Records if they
hope to have a long career.
Charles Weeks
Nation of Ulysses
13-Point Program to Destroy America
(Dischord)
Many of the best hardcore acts have been coming out
of our nation’s capital since the punk rock spin-off style of
loud, fast guitars first originated there 10 or 12 years ago.
One of the latest bands from this region is Nation of Ulysses.
Ulysses’ latest release. 13-Point Program to Destroy Amer
ica, comes after a 7" EP released earlier this year.
Ulysses’ music is simple and rhythm oriented. Loud
guitars with lots of feedback together with a heavy pound
ing rhythm section. The lyrics are, humorously, out of tune
and with heart. What makes this band great, however, is the
attitude and meaning behind what they are doing. Ulysses
is total anti-establishment, fuck authority, cut loose, punk
rock without being preachy or overbearing This is found in
both the lyrical content and the huge insert booklet. The
colorful tongue in cheek anthems, like "The Sound of Young
America’ and "Cool Senior High School (Fight Song) are
pretty non-conformist. Ulysses’ high regard of stick-to-
gether-no-matter-what friendships is explained in songs
like “A Kid Who Tells On Another Kid Is a Dead Kid" and
"You're My Miss Washington, D C.".
I really enjoyed this album and recommend it. I also
recommend their live show. For those interested, NOU will
be playing live, along with Louisville s Crain, at the old
Royal Cigar Shop on the corner of Forsyth and Walton in
downtown Atlanta on Nov. 21 at 9:00 p.m..
Doug Ahern
24-7 Spyz
This Is ...24-7 Spyz
(Eastwest/Atlantic)
24-7 Spyz are back with a new line-up and a
new label. One thing that is not new though is the
energetic and gutsy approach taken towards their
music. With the addition of drummer Joel Maitoza
and vocalist Jeff Brodnat, the Spyz recently
cranked out their third release, This is ...24- 7Spyz
It's their first release on Eastwest Records Amer
ica The 5-song EP is a preliminary release to a full-
length CD of the same title due out early next year.
The Spyz start the album on the upbeat with
"Tick, Tick, Tick". The thick, heavy guitars, funky
bass and solid drums combine to produce a pat
ented Spyz song that would surely lead to bodily
harm at a live performance.
Things simmer down a bit with "Stuntman" and
the somewhat groovy tune “My Desire". Rounding
out the EP, “Peace and Love" shows potential for
exploding at any moment but instead swings grace
fully into a slow melodic pace while "Earthquake’ brings up
the rear to finish with a little more of the hard rock sound that
Spyz fans are used to.
If you’re not already a Spyz fan then I suggest first that
you listen to their debut album Harder Than You. Then go
out and buy This is ..24-7Spyz and appreciate their range
of musical capabilities that will enhance your hardcore/
rock collection.
Ryan Schaetzle
Earth Household
"An unusual shop"
Could You Survive esc Stay Healthy
in the Woods, if Forced To?
SURVIVAL SKILLS WEEKEND:
Dec. 6 - 8 — Watson Mill Bridge Park
Info at sign-up In shop.
LIMITED SPACE!
* Herbal Nedecine, Books, Gifts •
M - F: 10 til 6 546-8250
Sat : 12 til 6 414 M. Thomas St.
Ajic r;oup_
THE • STUDIO • GROUP
10th Annual Holiday Sale
Is Friday eve, Nov. 29,5-9pm
Saturday, Nov. 30, 10am-6pm
Sunday, Dec. 1. Noon-5pm
at 320 Snapfinger Drive,
399 Ponderosa Drive &
^ ^ 400 Ponderosa Drive .
$100 DOOR PRIZ0
100% Cotton Literature
T-shirts and Great Books
at Athens
most comfortable bookstore
THE OLD
BLACK DOG
BOOKSTORE
In 5 Points
Across From Bell’s
549-2449
Open 7 days a week
until Christmas
90.5FM
WUOG Athens • University of Georgia
ATHENS
ONLY
ALTERNATIVE
Rotation for the week of
20 November 1991
HEAVY
Pixies
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Nirvana
Fugazi
Public Enemy
Dinosaur Jr
Robyn Hitchcock
Wolfgang Press
Soundgarden
MC 900 ft. Jesus
Roosevelt
Chris and Cosey
Head Candj
Peg boy
His Name is Alive
A Tribe Called Quest
My Bloody Valentine
Thee Hypnotics
Carnival Art
HEAL.
MEDIUM
Smashing Pumpkins
Golden Paliminos
Curve
Clockhammer
House Of Freaks
Tribe
Monster Magnet
Helios Cneed
Fudge Tunnel
Prong
Flaming Ups
They Might Be Giants
Swerved river
Seven Simons
Machines of Loving
Grace
Helmet
Tar
Leaving Trains
Ministry
Melvins
LOCAL
Liquor Cabinet
The Yams
Mombo Fury
Go-Figures
Anadeluslon Dog
Lotion
Sklnpops
Little Debbie
Clamp
Thorny Hold
Heavy Ethel
Deacon Lunchbox
Bulletproof
Red Letter Day
Redneck Greece
Deluxe
Blah
Wicked Annabella
ADDS
Black Sheep
Holmes Brothers
Trilok Gurtu
Brick Layer Cake