Popular American soccer player makes ‘Ginger’ musical debut The first single will be the album’s first track, ‘GoodNigbt Moon ’ By Michael Hines Editor in Chiet As a general rule, athletes and music don't mix. Who remembers Deion Sanders’ pathetic try? Or the Trailblazers’ “Rip City Rap City” tune? Now the red-headed American soccer star Alexi Lalas is giving his cleats the boot (for the mo ment) and strapping on a guitar. His first album, “Ginger,” was re leased Sept. 15. Unlike his athletic predeces sors, Lalas actually has musical talent. The New York/New Jersey MetroStars defender has been planning a musical career since childhood, and his first foray into the biz is quite good, especially considering that he produced his own album. Lalas, an unusual defender who often scores with his head, carves out a distinctive sound. The album, in which Lalas sings and plays guitar, is no-frills. There are few sound effects. Lalas opts to keep his songs stripped down to guitar, drums and vocals. The first single off the album, “GoodNight Moon,” is also the first track on the album. “Good Night Moon” establishes Lalas’ sound — a medium-paced ride over the lyrics. It's like skiing down Bachelor — the ride is soft and swift, but you can feel the ups and downs. The album’s lyrics aren’t amaz ing, but they are solid. They avoid falling into the meaning less drivel Bush or Oasis try to pass off as poetry. Lalas never sings about soccer directly, but he does seem to al lude to his fame now and then. For example, on the fourth track, “Pop School,” Lalas sings, “Gotta make the grade but I’m failing image 101/teacher says I got no style and something has to be done/there’s radio and video and how to look really bored/and where to go in Timbuktu when you need to score." It’s hard to believe the same man who got his long, red goatee trimmed by David Letterman could have self image problems, but Lalas’ songs do have a darker edge to them. Turn to LALAS, Page 14D I 'The Land East" Traditional Greek & Indian Food fuk 100 Lunch Monday through Saturday Dinner 7 Nights a Week 992 Willamette Eugene, Or 97401 343-9661 J COURTESY Alexi Ixilas is changing his image from soccer rat to music man. i50$ OFF: Any Specialty Drink Jj With this coupon receive SO t off any 12 oz. specialty coffee or espresso drink. Offer limited to Eugene Beanery locations, present coupon, y not good with any other offer or club card, expires 09/28/98 !S I-1 EUGENE SKYDIVERS STUDENT TANDEM SPECIAL $100 Video Taping Available Call Today: 895-3029 I Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Limit one jump per coupon per customer. i L | § Expires 12/7/98 ' ° Must have current valid student ID at time of purchase I-1 Slack! iMorest' LIVE MUSIC ^ No cover charge EVER! '9/22 Roy Swanson ACOUSTIC ROCK A 9/23 JD Dawson BLUES STYLES (1920s-1990s) 9/24 John Congdon ^ ACOUSTIC ROCK 4 9/25 The Electric Flies 60s ROCK 6. ROLL FOR BIG KIDS 9/26 Skip Jones • KEYBOARD BOOGIE 004057 V^L]^