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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 4, 2000)
february 4.2000 - J a a t a n t. 3 g m u sh This album morphs the best of two worlds— the musical underground and aboveground— in a swirl of sounds and per sonalities. Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brown- stein lays down a spooky, interesting guitar track on “The Skin,” and punk cheerleader Kathleen Hanna rocks out on “Stepping Up to the M ic.” “Hope,” the most memorable song on Featuring..., stars Lois Maffeo as a sultry slow-jam singer. T he melody allows the multitalented Maffeo to explore her range and fluidity while sounding like a Top 40 temptress— yes! Featuring... is a promising pickup. It’s important to remember that behind all these great guest performances is Schuster, a talented artist himself. S he ’ s S o C ontrol Sub Debs • K Records I appreciate what the Sub Debs stand for. To I me, their dress and demeanor at a November 1 show indicated a mockery of the mainstream, a denouncement of the classic American pretty girl. That’s pretty cool, as far as image goes. But when it comes to the actual music, I’m picky. There is some inspirational material on the Sub Debs’ first record, She’s So Control, but the majority is sadly tiresome and similar- sounding. The song “Don’t Mess with Us” is actually one of the winners. First it revs up with an ecstatic drumbeat, then cranks into high gear when the guitars crash in. T he epitome of revisited ’80s pop-punk, the song flows with good energy. “Let’s G o ” is another great rocker. These two gems are shadowed, however, by WoniyN's Niqhr ThuRsdAy C ome on dowN J o in C onnie & L av r íe a forest of duds. Many of the other songs blend together because of their similar tempo and lyrical choices. I think I counted three songs that use the same chord progression. “Into the Night” is a slower, contemplative breath of fresh air at the end of the CD, but it doesn’t redeem the aural displeasure that is the rest of the album. TU ere ' s F vn to óe fovNd I sn ’ t S he G reat : O riginal M otion P icture S oundtrack Burt Bacharach • Decca Records icture a tall, gorgeous Just Out staff writer. Now picture that same staff writer snoring like a bear. Finally, picture that staff writer snoring like a bear while listening to the soundtrack of the recently released Bette Midler flick Isn’t She Great. (Excuse me, but isn’t the phrase supposed to have a question mark attached to it?) Burt Bacharach is obviously a well-known, talented guy. I don’t mean to slam him by slamming a soundtrack he so carefully com posed, but boredom is a difficult mental state to ignore. I’m sure these songs fit well with the plot and atmosphere of the movie, but without the visuals to aid the lis tening experience, I’m left with a tired look in my eyes and a slowly descending droplet of drool con nected to the edge of my lip. Excluding some fantastic guest appearances by Dionne Warwick and Vanessa Williams, I suggest this soundtrack be called Isn’t This Boring (without a question mark). S03-3GS-9721 ^ 32nd & E Burnside St. • 231-8926 23rd & NW Johnson • 248-0163 'It's a h i t . ..tales of a killer clown k lusty monks double the pleasure.” —Oregonian \ "A daring pairing...hip and modern." -C olu m bian o à toCewm W AMlia L e o n c a v a l l o / Or f f ■ K aty D avidson is a nerd, and she doesn't even try to be one. Lighting up Portland s Broadway F ea tu rin g unique candles Sc accessories I* ...something fo r all occasions Ask about special MILLENNIUM MONDAYS! Sung in Italian/Sung in Latin an d German with translations projected above the stage. February 12 , 14, 16, 19 Portland Civic Auditorium • 7:30 pm sharp! TICKETS C ÏÏÏ (503) 241-1802 or (503) 790-ARTS TICKETS FROM $25 Tickets also available at all « ^ 2 -s s r outlets including GI Joe's, Meier & Frank, and the PCPA and Portland Opera Box Offices. • www.ticketmaster.com/Oregon Groups of 10 or More SAVE up to 20% Call 241-1407 • www.portIandopera.org 0 A Delta A it Lino SSESEE
