The Weekender from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania • 44

at, this soundtrack captures mi wnat nrmat MMMat 1 5 rLlUliiu at 1UUU TO 8, v. Take it from us We want you to give this CD a whirl, so we're offering a FREE CD to the first five readers to call the Weekender's Hotline at 570.831: 7325. Call for a free copy of the "Leonardo" release and leave your FULL name and phone number. Congratulations to last week's Jimmy Eat World winners! JO a I ill i -ry -f i a eP raw MataftfeWtaawa'ljTi the music, as much as 'Legally Blonde' Soundtrack The soundtrack from "Legally Blonde" is not unlike the movie: bubbly, upbeat and chock full of moments that stick to you like sweet, pink cotton candy. Don't get the wrong idea.

That's not a bad thing. It's summer after all, at least for a few more weeks, and sometimes that's all you're really looking for when you pop on your car stereo on the way out with your friends or in coming from your headphones at the gym. (Warning to guys: this might not be comparable to power workout favorites by Metallica and Rage.) But the lineup on the soundtrack offers a song for every emotion you might find in a girl loses boy, chases him to law school and saves the day in a murder trial flick. It has what you might expect: a bubble gum Britney-like song, Hoku's "Perfect Day" with lyrics like "Sun's down a little after 10 I pick up all my friendsin my Mercedes Benz," complete with giggles in the ground and the latest angst-pop from Lisa Loeb's "We Could Still Belong Together" with the tiresome "OK, so hey, don't worry now- oh wow." The real heroes here are the clever word bursts in Superchic(k)'s "One Girl Revolution," wear a disguise I'm just your average Jane the super doesn't stand for model but that doesn't mean I'm plain if all you see is how I look you miss the superchick within and I christen you Titanic underestimate and the smooth sounds from Samantha Mumba's "Don't Need You To (Tell Me I'm Pretty)," the unexpected orchestra that accompanies newcomer Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles (interlude)" and the punky punch from Lo-Ball's "Can't Get Me Down." A few other reasons not to toss it on the chewed bubble-gum pile are the hip-shaking Latin flavored "Ooh La La" from Valeria and the Rocky-like anthem song "Watch Me Shine" from Joanna Pacini. As far as borrowings go, well, maybe I didn't need to hear the Black Eyed Peas' take on the Police's "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," but Mya is definitely equipped with enough attitude and groove to carry James Brown's "Sex Machine." So, before summer makes its hasty exit, pick up this bright pink package, open that sunroof and soak up an extra hour of sunshine.

I I a 5 Kristie Grier Weekender Editor Reach Kristie it kristjegleider.net nirpH utVV. -KonAiiterv nn Ivrica "mi auiw 1 tv I I Id fa 3 a. a 1 hillllSMli 'Devil's Nighf D12 As the ultimate act of friendship and camaraderie, Eminem took it into his heart to remember his old crew from Detroit and release their collective efforts on his Shady Records label.1 In the midst of all this goodwill, which could earn Eminem a nice little Guardian Angel pin to go on the strap of his "wife beater," Mr. Mathers forgot to take one important aspect into consideration. There's a reason why Slim Shady is a household name and his D-12 (Dirty Dozen) cohorts will remain relative unknowns despite their chart-topping debut; they can't rhyme to save their lives.

The problem with this disc is that it suffers from three major maladies: the production is weak, the skits are downright terrible (Fart jokes? and the lyrics, for lack of a better word, suck. I never really cared for Eminem's production work to begin with, but it didn't bother me on his second CD because I spent the duration of it listening to his lyrics. Here, there is no lyrical substance to follow and the lackluster production only worsens One example is the track "Ain't Nuttin' But Music." Eminem starts the song with the same tired topic of trashing pop music with a line like "Britney hit me one more timeLet me know what's on your mindWhitney give me one more and sniff," and another member of the don't know who it is nor will I take the time to match voices to names, comes off with the gem "Eminem don't (sic) like N'SYNC but I doSo him and the Backstreet Boys too" and proceeds to ask what ever happened to the cast of "Different Strokes." Who the hell cares? Like we haven't watched an episode of True Hollywood Story" or anything. The whole album suffers from the same lyrical ineptitude. Sadly, the only highlight of this album, other than the semi-tolerable "Fight Music," is in the "Steve Berman (Skit)" where Mr.

Berman says, and I quote, "This D12 album is Ped" and "This album is never coming out." If he could've taken his own advice.the music world would be a much better place. If you weren't already suckered into 'Leonardo The Absolute Man' Various Artists Don't be alarmed at the words 'Original Cast Recording' on the cover of the new Magna Carta label release titled "Leonardo The Absolute Man," or the fact that the music is a concept album (gasp!) about Leonardo Da Vinci. Although the Renaissance man has been planted in the ground for several hundred years now, you would be missing a worthwhile listening experience to judge this CD on the.cover alone. "Leonardo is the brainchild of Trent Gardner who fronts a band called Magellan. By using a variety of vocalists and musicians to cover the storyline, Gardner has put together a melodic rock opera similar in intention to the original "Jesus Christ Superstar." It's not Broadway-schlock, but a dramatic, hard-rocking production.

The cast is made up of some of the most talented, if not well-known, names on the rock scene today. Dream Theater vocalist, James LaBrie, a guy with an amazing set of pipes if there ever was one, ably handles the part of Da Vinci. The CD begins as one would expect, with a majestic overture full of lush orchestration. The premise of the story is laid out across the first three tracks, then at 1:14 into track four Of it happens. The guitar shreds through the tale to kick the proceedings into a higher gear.

Musical themes return through "Leonardo" to create a tapestry of sounds with the music telling as much of the story as the lyrics. "Mona Lisa contains a layered chorus reminiscent of Queen in their heavily produced "Night At The Opera" days. Not many artists take chances like this anymore. Steve Walsh of Kansas fame provides a stunning and moving duet with newcomer Michelle Young on "First Commission." The 12-srring guitars carry a memorable melody that will probably be (unfairly) compared to "Dust In The Wind." The whole production crashes to a close on the bombastic "End Of A World." Any good rock opera needs to end with a track like this. If you're not afraid to put on the headphones and gaze at the lyrical story and artwork in the CD booklet for 80 minutes, "Leonardo The Absolute Man" belongs in your CD player.

buying this disc by its association with Enimen, by all means, leave this album on the rack where you found it. There are tons of better albums out now that are more deserving of your hard-earned money than this horrible disc. Mitch Matthews Weekender correspondent Reach Mitch it OATKUMANNNcs.com the listening experience. With Sean Valentine Sponsored by Gallery of Sound Joe Nardone's Gallery of Sound 1. Lifer-Ufer 2.

Allen Ant Farm Anthology 3. Adema Adema 4. Soundtrack American Pie 2 5. Unkln Park Hybrid Theory 6. 012 Devirs Night 7.

Stalnd Break the Cycle 8. Drowning Pool Sinner 9. Jennifer Lopez 1L0 10. Various Now 7 That What I WRKC Radio King's College 1. Beta Band Hot Shots II 2.

Saves the Day Stay What Vbu Are 3. Rival Schools United by Fate 4Steroolab-SounoM)ust 5. Jimmy Eat World Bleed American 6. Murder CHy Deris Ihetema 7. Curshe Burst and Bloom 8.

Yeltowcard One for the Kids 9. RonrJeto-ShiriedMckelsand- 10. Id tour Idols Funeral tor a Feeing 1. Em wtth Owen Stefan! Let Me 2. Train Drops of Jupiter 3.

Bhi Central Hit em Up Style 4. City High What Would toi Do 5 American hfl-fl Raw of the Week 6. Nsync Pop 7. Missy Bitot Get tour Freak On 8. Blink 182- The Rock Show Kevin Krieger Weekender Correspondent.