Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (April 19, 1995)
The Clackamas Print Page 6 Wednesday, April 19,1995 FEATURES “100% Fun”: not exactly for sweet-tooths by Jocelyn Gauthier Feature Editor “100% Fun,” a collection of catchy, fun tunes filled with bitter sweet lyrics is Matthew Sweet’s fourth Zoo Entertainment and sixth career solo release. Although it’s an appropriate opener to the album, don’t let the current radio hit “Sick of Myself ’ tempt you to judge die entire thing. It features 12 songs ranging from “endearingly sloppy garage-rock to ...poignant balladry,” Zoo said in a press release. Past recordings include “In side,” “Earth,” “Girlfriend,” “Al tered Beast” and “Son of Altered Beast,” and these have proven Sweet tabe an artist of “unwaver ing integrity, affecting emotion and purely personal vision,” Zoo said. “When my last album came out,” Sweet said, “people kept tell ing me how dark and weird the songs were. So I sarcastically told everyone that I was going to call my next album ‘ 100% Fun.’ Now I’m hoping the title will predispose Chamber Singers perform by Amy Ku’uipo Bierman Staff Writer On Thursday the CCC Chamber Singers will take part in the American Choral Direc tors Association’s (ACDA) Col legiate Choral Festival at Pa cific University in Forest Grove. About a dozen two- and four-year college choirs from Oregon will be in attendance to perform for one another. Throughout the day, perfor mances will be held, as well as combined choir practices of Alexandru Pascanu’s “Suita Scurta” for a mass choir perfor mance. This will be the 13th year that the CCC Chamber Singers have participated. The Chamber Singers will be performing songs from Es tonia, under the direction of Lonnie Cline. Included in their performance will be “Helise lima,” composed by Vork, and “Kalev Ja Linda” and “Tuljak,” by Harma. These three songs are melodies that date back to the 13th century. “Crimson Leaves Falling,” “Clouds Racing In the Sky” and “Heather” from “Autumn Land scapes,” a collection of works by Veljo Tormis, 20th century Estonian composer, will also be performed. According to Cline, the singers are looking forward to the festival, as well as working with a well-known clinician who will be directing the mass choir. The festival will begin at 1 p.m. and will end with a mass choir performance at 8:45 p.m. Those interested are invited to attend. people to think the record is more pleasant than it really is.” The Lincoln, Neb., native worked with producer Brendan O’Brien, who also produced for Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Bob Dylan, Pete Droge and Soundgarden. O’Brien not only produced, but played keyboards and occasional guitar as well. “Brendan is amazing,” Sweet said. “Not only does he get great sounds, he creates a great atmo sphere in the studio.” “I wanted this record to be simple, direct and absorbing,” Sweet said. “It’s sort of a blend of ‘Girlfriend’ and ‘Altered B.east.’ It’s got the roomier, more rackety aspect of ‘Altered Beast,’ with the directness of ‘Girlfriend.’ I worked really hard to make it lively, and not TOO relaxed.” Sweet’s band includes Rich ard Lloyd (Television) and Rob ert Quine (Lou Reed, Richard Hell) on guitars, Greg Leisz (k.d. lang, Dave Alvin) pedal steel gui tarist, Ric Menck (Velvet Crush) drummer and Stuart Johnson (Love Jones’ drummer). Sweet did the vocals, of course, and the bass and rhythm guitars. “Sick of Myself’ was com posed in the studio during a jam between Sweet and drummer Menck. O’Brien overheard, and Photo by Jeff Bender Matthew Sweet considers his latest album, “100% Fun,” to be a mix between “Girlfriend” and “Altered Beast.” urged Sweet to finish the tune. Although I like many of the songs, my favorites include “Not When I Need It,” “Lost My Mind” and “Walk Out.” Perhaps it’s partly because they all have good endings, whereas several of the others just sort of...end. The vocal harmony at the end of “Not When I Need It” is another Sweet trademark. At first it seemed like it had a very selfish message, but after understanding that it was written during his last tour when he. was “on the road and feeling lonely,” I don’t think so quite as much; His emotions shine through in the lines “late at night I’m filled with fear/That I can’t take for granted that you’ll always be near/And it makes me hate my self.” “Lost In My Mind” expands on Sweet’s fascination with spacier themes. “Though this record deals with the more human side of life, there are also some songs that have a weirder, wackier perspective,” Sweet said. “I’m really into sci-fi monster music, and I think those songs help give the album an added kick.” Perhaps it was the placement of the song between the more mel ancholy “Everything Changes” and “Come to Love” that made it stand out. “Walk Out’s” 60’s guitar sound drew me in like a magnet, and I hope it’s the next song to grace the radio waves. (Partly because I don’t have a tape player in my car!) “100% Fun” is the sort of al bum that you will listen to con stantly at the start, and then let it sit on the shelf for awhile, but it won’t lgt you forget about it for very long. “It’s that rare album that rev erently echoes the music of the past, yet possesses the distinct per sonal stamp of its creator,” Zoo said. “I’m really satisfied with this record,” Sweet said. “I usually have a harder time assessing my work when I’m fin ished recording, but this album still feels fresh. “I didn’t have to overthink anything. It’s a very immediate sort of record.” Cranberries perform smashing concert by Hoyun Choi Staff Writer The long awaited Cranberries came to visit our City of Roses, April 3 at the Civic Auditorium. Starting off the night, Grant Lee Buffalo led a great opening for the Cranberries, fitting in well with their alternative style. Although they are not as well known, they have the potential to be as admired in the future. A fellow concert goer, Rebekah Jones, added, “I had never heard of Grant Lee Buffalo before, and I was disappointed to hear they were opening for the Cranberries, but after I heard them, I was really surprised and impressed.” As the Cranberries entered the stage with the lead singer’s now brown hair, the crowd cheered and anxiously waited to hear their favorite songs. The band played songs from both of their albums, “Everybody Else is Doing it, So Why Can’t We” and “No Need to Argue.” Some of the songs were, “Dreams,” “Linger,” and the unanimous crowd favorite, “Zombie.” The Cranberries’ music is filled with meanings about dif ferent issues in life, from war to family relationships. Mike Mudd, a Cranberries fan, feels their music is “an al ternative beat with emotional and dynamic lyrics.” Overall, the Cranberries concert was well worth the $25. The next time they’re in town, don’t miss them. What we play is life” -Louis Armstrong MUSICIANS __ BA.JLJL lOfc Presented by Henry Weinhards Private Reserve 77 bands on 11 stages i -featuring: alternative, blues, country, ethnic, folk/acoustic, gospel, hip hop, jazz, latin, reggae, r & b, rock, world beat & more Saturday April 221995 Portland Memorial Coliseum tickets at Ticketmaster outlets statewide or charge-by-phone (503) 224-4400 99.5 FW
