The Ottawa Citizen from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • 27

MUSIC TV MOVIES THEATRE DINING OUT Section GOING OUT 1 mm WrSi," "i The Top Ten Here are the national Top 10 rock albums of 1994, as selected by rock critics for 14 newspapers across Canada: 1. R.E.M., Monster (82 points) 2. Neil Young, Sleeps With Angels (64 points) 3. Nirvana, Unplugged In New York (62 points) 4. Soundgarden, Superunknown (55 points) 5.

Hole, Live Through This (53 points) 6. Pavement, Crooked Rain Crooked Rain 1 R.E.M. firmly planted at top By Don Butler Citizen entertainment editor Despite the chart success this year of rock dinosaurs like the Rolling Stones, Beatles, Eagles and Pink Floyd, change is constant in the world of pop music. The second annual Southam national survey of rock critics demonstrates just how rapid that change can be. Critics at newspapers in 14 cities were asked to submit their Top 10 rock albums of 1994 and assign 100 points to their choices in whatever way they saw fit.

By tallying the points, we then compiled our national Top 10 list. Only one group that appeared on the 1993 list made the cut this year and it is, for all practical purposes, defunct. Nirvana, whose In Utero was voted best album of 1993, grabbed the No. 3 position this year with Unplugged in New York, recorded before lead singer Kurt Cobain's suicide last spring. Cobain's widow, Courtney Love, also made our list.

Her group Hole's release, Live Through This, landed in spot No. 5, just behind Superunknown by Soundgar-den, touted by many as Nivana's heir apparent. R.E.M. consolidated its reputation as one of today's top rock groups with Monster, chosen as album of the year in our critics' survey. Two venerable Canadian singersongwriters Neil Young and Joni Mitchell showed up on the national list, Young for Sleeps With Angels (the title refers to Cobain) and Mitchell for Turbulent Indigo, a return to her more melodic work of the '70s.

After a couple of mediocre releases, Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders made a comeback with The Last Of The Independents, while Pavement, Ween and roots-rocker Alejandro Escovedo all impressed the critics. As usual, there was great diversity in the critics' choices. But there was some degree of critical consensus, too: seven critics put R.E.M.'s Monster on their Top 10 lists, six named the releases by Neil Young and Hole and five included Soundgarden's Superunknown among their choices. Here's the national list, along with the Citizen's Top 10 as selected by freelance rock writer Lynn Saxberg. We've included the lists submitted by critics at other papers so you can compare your picks to those of the experts.

Here's how Your Citizen seven-day going-out guide ''I My nod goes to Neil Young By Lynn Saxberg Citizen correspondent Neil Young, Sleeps With Angels: Reunited with Crazy Horse, Young is back to his challenging, edgy self with this masterful rock album. Tom Petty, Petty's new songs cover a broad musical spectrum, with both folky acoustic material and electrified rockers in an earthy, unassuming, totally tuneful set. Live, Throwing Copper: Passionate and striking sophomore effort from a band that provided one of Woodstock '94's best moments. Joni Mitchell, Turbulent Indigo: A graceful melange of folk, pop and jazz. Evocative, cool and moody a timeless disc that stands up to the singersongwriter's best work.

R.E.M., Monster: The revered Atlanta band returns to gritty rock 'n' roll form with a dense sound-scape of hard-edged guitars and nasty distortion. The Tragically Hip, Day For Night: Canada's top rock 'n' rollers take a lean, live approach on this one, jamming out the songs for a hypnotic, swirling backdrop to singer Gord Downie's cryptic musings. Phish, Hoist: An effortless smorgasbord of jazz, bluegrass, rock, country and folk, highlighted by oddball lyrics, spirited melodies and full harmonies. Captures the Vermont band's infectious live appeal. Hole, Live Through This: Raw, compelling power pop from Courtney Love and band helps group emerge from the shadow of Kurt Cobain.

Forceful riffs with hardhitting, bittersweet lyrics. Soundgarden, Superunknown: Crashing percussion, wailing guitars and anguished lyrics are channeled into an anthemic, often radio-friendly groove. Edie Brickell, Picture Perfect Morning: Cascading melodies, lilting lyrics and a terrific backing band help shape Brickell's offbeat style of soulful pop into a funky and poetic album. Lynn Saxberg is an Ottawa freelance writer this year Vancouver Province 1. Nell Young: Sleeps With Angels 2.

Alejandro Escovedo: Thirteen Years 3. R.E.M.: Monster. 4. The Velvet Underground: Live MCMCXCIII 5. Pretenders: Last of the Independents 6.

Rolling Stones: Voodoo Lounge 7. Tragically Hip: Day For Night 8. Velvet Crush: Teenage Symphonies To God 9. Grant Lee Buffalo: Mighty Joe Moon 10. Loreena McKennltt: The Mask And The Mirror Tom Harrison Toronto Star 1.

Nirvana: Unplugged In New York 2. Hole: Live Through This 3. Rheostatlcs: Introducing Happiness 4. The Tragically Hip: Day For Night 5. Green Day: Dookie 6.

Stolen Moments: Red, Hot Cool, Various artists 7. Spearhead: Home 8. Nell Young: Sleeps with Angels 9. The Beatles: Live At The BBC 10. Nick Lowe: The Impossible Bird Peter Howell Mora critics choices, please see D2 (41potnts) oo Cv CQ.

HOWE: Changelings' leader CHANGELINGS: They've shucked their old clothes, their pop-y dance iunes, and their well-known name. Now One 2 One goes by the moniker of Sal's Birdland, they choose their own outfits, and their rougher, darker music risks radio bans. And as leader Leslie Howe says, "This is exactly what we wanted." For details, and more on the local club scene, see Norman Provencher's Music column, D2. PLUS MUSIQUE: Rogers Ottawa was swamped with complaints when it dumped MusiquePlus from its cable lineup. Francophone students, parents, teachers and local MPs produced thousands of letters and calls supporting the French-language rock channel.

Thanks to their outcry, the service is back. See Tony Atherton's TV column, D6. STARSTRUCK: Four of Zaire's hottest musicians Les Quatres Etoiles bring their high-octane sounds to Ottawa Friday night. Now based in Paris, the group is known for music that just won't let you sit. See Dll.

DEAD MEN DON'T: Wear plaid. Or so they say. But that's not the story in Forever Plaid, as NAC audiences are happily finding out when they see the popular musical. For more on the show, and other events in and around the capital for the holiday week, see Going Out, D3. (And for a plaid-lovers hint, see D7.) SOUR NOTES: When Show Boat opened in North York, protesters turned out to complain the classic musical Is racist.

Later It turned out some protest groups had received Ontario government funds. Now the show's producers are suing the government. See D8. TASTY OASIS: If holiday shopping has you dragging, there's a little-known oasis sitting at the corner of Sussex and Saint Patrick. Inside the National Gallery, you'll find two eateries, offering a calm Interlude and delicious food.

See Random Samples, DS. TRY THAI: Hot-and sour seafood chowder, fresh spring rolls, green curry, beef salad laced with coriander If you're mouth is watering, and you're a sucker for friendly service, then Lek's Pad Thai is your kind of place. See Dining Out, D5. 7. Alejandro Escovedo, Thirteen Years (37 points) 8.

Joni Mitchell, Turbulent Indigo (36 points) 9. Ween, Chocolate And Cheese (35 points) 10. Pretenders, The Last Of The Independents (25 points) MiMiaiiBt national rock critics picked 'em The Edmonton Journal 1. R.E.M.: Monster 2. Soundgarden: Superunknown 3.

Pavement: Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain 4. Hole: Live Through This 5. Beck: Mellow Gold 6. Liz Phalr: Whip-Smart 7. Nirvana: MTV Unplugged In New York 8.

Sloan: Twice Removed 9. Jann Arden: Living Under June 10. Eric Clapton: From The Cradle David Howell Hamilton Spectator 1. Stone Temple Pilots: Purple 2. Me'Shell NdegeOcello: Plantation lullabies: 3.

Prince: Come 1958-1993 4. Paula Cole: Harbinger 5. Maggie Estep: No More Mr. Nice Girl 6. Spearhead: Home 7.

Troublegum: Therapy? 8. Bad Religion: Stranger Than Fiction: 9. The Reverend Horton Heat: Liquor in the Front 10. Tim Gibbons: Dead Guy Won a Muffin Nick Krewen Calgary Herald 1. Alejandro Escovedo: Thirteen Years 2.

Ween: Chocolate And Cheese 3. Nirvana: Unplugged In New York 4. Pavement: Crooked Rain Crooked Rain 5. Hole: Live Through This 6. Katell Kelneg: Seasons Castles 7.

Luna: Bewitched 8. Shane MacGowan and the Popes: The Snake 9. Julian Cope: Autogeddon 10. Various Artists: If I Were A Carpenter James Muretlch Montreal Gazette 1. R.E.M.: Monster 2.

Soundgarden: Superunknown 3. Gigolo Aunts: Flippln' Out 4. Beck: Mellow Gold 5. Veruca Salt: American Thighs 6. Sugar: File Under: Easy Listening 7.

Derull: Pub 8. The Mavericks: What a Crying Shame 9. Nine Inch Nails: The Downward Spiral 10. Warren Funk Era (Just Bubbling Under: Neil Young: Sleeps With Angels, John Cougar: Dance Naked, The Tragically Hip: Day For Night.) Mark Lepage Hear the Top Ten on Touchline To hear a sample from the CDs on our national Top 10 list, call Touchline at 721-1990 and choose from the cddes listed below. Press to return to the main menu for another selection.

7.,,, Mb 4Jt4U 1 -k 5141 5142 5143 5144 5145 5146 5147 5148 5149 5150 Monster, R.E.M. Sleeps With Angels, Neil Young Unplugged in New York, Nirvana Superunknown, Soundgarden Live Through This, Hole Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, Pavement Thirteen Years, Alejandro Escovedo Turbulent Indigo, Joni Mitchell Chocolate and Cheese, Ween Last Of The Independents, Pretenders 2a.