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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 16, 1994)
ju s t o u t T d e c o m b e r 1 0 , 1 0 0 4 ▼ 3 5 AURAL GRATIFICATION 1. O pus III Guru Mother High-energy, not quite in-your-face vibes that tickle your dance bone just right. The ethereal sounds with heavy bass and a soaring, beautiful voice singing inspired lyrics made this CD my favorite pick for 1994. Must haves for '9 4 Three views on what to play when you reminisce about the year in music ▼ 2 . N in e I n c h N a il s The Downward Spiral OK, honestly, I know some people who use this album to get “in the mood.” Trent Reznor has been a favorite of mine for quite some time. (Thank you, Bryan D., for introducing me to him). As long as NIN keeps it up—with this sound I mean— I will look forward to every new album it produces. 3 . D e e - L it e Dewdrops In the Garden by Aaron Bong CD release for the extra six tracks. One of the nice features is that the songs on the first disc are all remixed into an hour-long uninterrupted dance session. 7 . B a r b r a S t r e isa n d I have to say that the concert was more than just a little bit disappointing, especially since several of the band members were just a little too much "out there” to give a good performance. Obviously the band is much more “down to earth” in the studio, and it shows. This CD brings Dee- Lite to a new “height” in the evolution it is forcing onto dance music. The Cross o f Changes Enigma’s second, eagerly awaited album was well worth the wait. Lush tracks, beautiful vocals, and inspirational melodies that keep on keepin’ on. 9 . V a r io u s A r t ists (Soundtrack) The Adventures o f Priscilla, Queen o f the Desert Plantation Lullabies 12. G r e e n D ay 2 . B e a st ie B o y s Dookie Whoever said punk is dead hasn’t heard Green Day. The only thing the band seems to take seriously is its music, and sometimes even that gets made fun of. Billy Joe is one of the cutest punk rockers currently on the scene (and one of the most talented). Especially his Yank-trying-to- look-like-an-Englishman-trying-to-look-like-an- Yank-punk-rocker look. And wow, what a mud fight at Woodstock ’94! 13. M adonna Bedtime Stories Madonna is a gay male icon. Duh. For many of the younger half of our commu nity she is something that represents eroticism to an extreme. However, she promised that this album would have no references to sex in any way. What?! Madonna divorced from sex? Well, Bedtime Stories is her most mature sound to date. A real “classy” album. And I’m not just saying that to be "neat.” 5. P et S hop B oys Disco 2 20. L u s c io u s J a c k s o n Natural Ingredients Does everyone know yet that Kate Schellenbach. the drummer for Luscious Jackson and formerly drummer for the Beastie Boys, is dating Josephine Wiggs.the bassist for The Breed ers? If not, you must have been living in a vacuum. The women of Luscious Jackson are giving all of the boys of hip hop a run for their fans. Natural Ingredients is a wonderful piece of music; it’s worth looking for. us with her voice and throwing loads of positive energy to the audience. That feeling comes across vibrantly on her CD. She turned 26 the day she was in Portland, which I hope only signals the beginning of a long and distinguished career. 4 . E rasure / Say, I Say, I Say What can I say? Clarke and Bell are two of my favorite musicians. But I Say is more than a little repetitive. It sounds like one long song with breaks in between. The band was redeemed when some excellent dance tracks came off of this album. Unplugged in New York This was the last full-length album recorded by Kurt before he died. The songs are played acoustically, in the “Unplugged” fashion. Tuesday Night Music Club Hey, you can’t go wrong if you have The Flying Elvises in your first video. And with Leav ing Las Vegas, Sheryl Crow stepped up to the platform of innovative women rockers. Yes I Am The Advocate called her “rock’s great dyke hope.” I would tend to call her one of rock’s great hopes, period. Melissa is talented and keeps mov ing up the charts like nobody’s business. Keep up the great work. 8 . E n ig m a 1 8 . N ir v a n a 19. S h e r y l C r o w 6 . M e l issa E t h e r id g e The Concert Properly subtitled "For My Boys.” After not doing concerts for so long, and then only a few in selected cities (what about Portland next time?), Barbra allowed her ardent yet absent fans to “listen in” on the concert with this CD. A real treat for the inveterate Barbra fan. 17. R eal M c C oy Real McCoy (As yet unreleased) Already, two hit dance singles off of this album make it one of my picks— aural unheard, so to speak. Real McCoy promises to be something : great. Rachel Gay C. Ebora’s Top 5 1. M e ’S h ELL N D E G ltO c E L L O III Communication 3. S arah M c L achlan Fumbling Towards Ecstasy 4 . O f fspr in g Smash 5 . S a l t - N - P epa Very Necessary Rupert Kinnard’s Top 5 1. T h e T e m p t a t i o n s Emperors o f Soul 14. T he C r a n b e r r ie s There is just something about these songs, and the movie, that has inspired some people to re cently try doing drag. A friend of mine predicts that Priscilla will become the next Rocky Horror. Quite possible with a fun, fabulous movie and music that takes you places. 10. T ori A mos Under the Pink If you missed Tori when she came through Portland, you missed a great concert. She was splendid. This album is moving— full of lyrics that aren’t too cryptic and piano work that comes through every time. Concert-goers were treated with her version of Prince’s "Purple Rain.” Neil Tennant I waited eagerly with bated breath for this little treasure. I would recommend spending the extra dollar or two to purchase the limited edition two- 11. D e s ’ ree I Ain't M ovin' Watching Des’ree in concert was incredible. She worked the audience like a healer, showering No Need to Argue Last August I chose between seeing The Cran berries for $3, or going out with a friend. I wish I had gone to see The Cranberries. Oh well, they came through last December with Duran Duran, and I got to see them then. This album is flawless. I love British R&B, with the heavy bass and drums. And this CD is a testament to the fact that The Cranberries are not one-hit wonders. 15. H ole Live Through This All right, so maybe few people had heard of Courtney Love before Kurt Cobain. Some said she was using Kurt’s name to put out her album and promote her own band. As far as I can tell from this album, these people are wrong. She sounds fresh, energetic and innovative. She is an excellent musician in her own right. 2 . S m o k e y R o b in s o n & T h e M ir a c l e s The 35th Anniversary Collection 3 . P r in c e The Collection 4 . V a r io u s A r tists 1 6 . T he G o - G o ’ s Country, Rhythm and Blues Return to the Valley o f The Go-Go's Along with Blondie and The Bangles, The Go- Go’s were some of the best women rockers from the ’80s. And what a comeback CD. 5 . V a r io u s A r tists Salute to Curtis Mayfield