The Miami Herald from Miami, Florida • 45

WEDNESDAY JULY 6 1994 THE HERALD 7E down-to-earth maturity in new David Byrne iruNiNiriNi To hear samples of the albums reviewed call 373-4636 In Dade 527-4636 In Broward Enter category code 2787 hear about 20 seconds of music from each CD I David Byrne David Byrne Luaka popSireWarner Bros On his just-released album David Byrne nerd extraordinaire head Talking Head man-'in-the-Big-Suit cultural explorer and entrepreneur chooses his most intriguing mask yet: sincerity ATTITUDE: In Pure and Simple Joan Jett lead singer of the Blackhearts proves to be reigning queen of the riot grrrl movement metaphorical take-off on the old schoolyard game HOWARD COHEN Erasure I Say I Say I Say Mute Elektra Like the Pet Shop Boys Erasure (synthesizer wizard Vince Clarke and vocalist Andy Bell) takes the basics of pop songwriting the instantly memorable chorus and the tap-your-feet beat and merges them with electronic gadgetry that always manages to exude warmth instead of the characteristic coldness of computers And for an act that is best known in dance club circles Erasure can sure pour on the pop radio hooks This is the most commercial album since 1 The all 10 songs here have hit single potential But there is a sacrifice for success: I Say 1 Say I Say is an extremely safe album devoid of the more ambitious music and lyrics of 1 Wild and 1 99 1 Chorus and lacking the campy humor of Abba-esque EP A bit of past verve is evident on So the Story Goes and Miracle both featuring the Choir of St Cathedral but about it Still politeness can be catchy and cuts like Always (already a pop hit) Blues Away and I Love Saturday are bouncy fun This is ideal summer fare light bubbly and innocuous MARIO TARRADELL While he deserves commendation for dipping his toes into uncharted waters Gabriel sinks and swims A couple of dance-oriented drum machine-happy numbers Vienes Voy You Coming or Going) and Pero Que Necesidad (What a Necessity) fail miserably And the gospel-tinged ballads particularly Mas Que Amor More Than Love) are a tad over-baked But some of the album works quite well: Lentamente (Slowly) a sensual slow-simmer torch song Como la Luna (Like the Moon) an infectious tropical-flavored reggae number Muriendo de Amor (Dying of Love) and Que Bello Es Vivir (How Beautiful Is Living) which benefit from vintage emotional performance All prove Gabriel has been gone way too long MARIO TARRADELL Herald Staff Writer a Problem) Then the Jett had to learn to live with in her post- Love Rock and Roll daze the radio-courting rock balladress (A? I Am Brighter Day) Nowhere here however is there the Jett we love The crunching anthemic fist-pumping dynamo who effortlessly cranked out shout-along tunes like I Hate Myself for Loving You Little Liar Bad Reputation or Love Rock and Roll in her salad days What there is in abundance on Pure and Simple though is attitude Jett practically founded abrasive riot grrrl movement and proves to be its reigning queen by not only writing songs with its current crop of practitioners (L7 Bikini Kill Babes in Toyland) but showing her younger progeny she can match them lick for lick Hence Spinster smokes with Jett snarling on top of a snaggle-tooth guitar riff and Activity Grrrl and Go Home move like quicksilver Only Rubber 6 Glue fails dissolving into a tortured Singing in the first-person singular over a lean almost mini-malist musical accompaniment Byrne abandons any ironic detachment as he reflects on his career that roaring you hearis only the blood that cir-clesconstantlyno not applause my dearno that was a long long time claims cards are on the gambling that I and struggles with self-knowledge and self-censorship can barely touch my own selfhow can I touch someone To emphasize the point Byrne offers pictures of parts of his naked body in the CD booklet There is nothing heroic about chest hairs up close a pale back teeth X-rays But somewhere between their banality and their (unfulfilled) promise of insight there is some touching down-to-earth humanity The old Byrne would have smirked at the thought This David Byrne is not that afraid He has stared at his fears and Ifound himself grown up FERNANDO GONZALEZ Herald Pop Music Critic 1 Basia The Sweetest Illusion Epic Try this next time 'stopped for speeding Apologize Iprofusely and offer the excuse that you were simply on i what Basia pulls in Drunk on Love the lush lead track from her third album And you know it works (the excuse that is) The song has a 'charming melody that redeems Jits overly precious premise judging by the very polite music on Jthe rest of this CD you might Junderstand the forgiveness cagey mix of lite jazz '(make that real lite jazz) samba jbossa nova and pop is nothing iyou heard on past efforts Jbut giddy take on the rapture of love is contagious on itracks like Yearning and Drunk on Love while the simmering salsa accents on An Olive Tree is a fine condiment for the Polish chirpy voice It all goes down smooth ienough but a little of Basia is plenty thank you Still if you have a high tolerance for sweetness the frothy Sweetest Illusion may be the ticket Basia performs at 8 pm Aug 13 and 14 at Sunrise Musical Theatre 5555 NW 95th Ave Sunrise Tickets are $4250 $3850 and $3450 through Tick-etmaster (358-5885 in Dade 523-3309 in Broward 407 A CERTAIN CHARM: Sweetest Illusion is for those with a high tolerance for sweets this collection of well-structured songs sashays apart from the crowded club scene HOWARD COHEN Juan Gabriel Gracias Por Esperar BMG In English this release Juan first studio album in eight years is Thanks for Waiting And it was a wait: Two presidents served full terms since last batch of new songs Was it worth it? Somewhat The respected Mexican smg-ersongwriter takes a few unexpected turns here moving away from his trademark popmana-chi love songs delivered in his typically dramatic style Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Pure and Simple Warner BrosBlackheart Records There are times hard rocker Joan Jett comes across as a talking-head MTV public service announcement dispensing sage but obvious advice to her largely teenage audience to (Insecure) or threatening to become a leather-bedecked answer to Ann Landers You Got 966-3309 in Palm Beach) Call 741-8600 HOWARD COHEN Herald Writer People Elegant Slumming Epic For months Moving On Up has been moving people up off their seats and onto the dance floor at straight and gay clubs alike The reason? Just listen The got a sassy hook who do you think you it like a man baby if what you areCos moving on moving on paired with a glossy fat beat and infectious melody The song an I Will Survive for the is the highlight of Elegant Slumming a solid collection comprising two overseas albums by the UK trio The CD has just made its way Stateside and a dandy treat Much credit for its appeal goes to vocalist Heather Small who winds her way through the familiar club music territory: the steady drum kick pumping bass and trance-like beat on Excited and Renaissance But Small is more than the typical droning dance diva on Love Is in My Soul a sterling soul ballad she sings with warmth and pathos Compared to the routine two-hits-and-filler formula of most dance records People with DO YOUR STUDENTS THINK MATH IS AREAL DOG OF A SUBJECT? feCMWWORTV Kevin Dennis Gene Costner Quaid Hackman WtfTDfcwvm wrttKiuswvuGYPPBne nmrwjuuvnwi wnirarBTW c-w tuiw rii a fjuw van mm ouwfwr in uMwrwwwwf yet nmu -sj ucui jftxuoum mdiail jbuo iwmiiip 1 MALL OF THE AMERICAS 14 PALMETTO XWY 636 COM BAY HARBOR 4 96 ST OF COLUNS 996-2441 -44 OMN1 10 OUN Wren NATIONAL NEXT TO FUN i GAMES 366 2304 OCEANWAIK 10 OCEANWALXUAU KLLYWOOO HLTO A1A 92041330 'BWWMTOT OENfAAJ CMEttA PEMBROKE PINES OCNEHAL CWEttA RIVIERA CINEMA iwnoAimn MOVIES AT HULEAhl now I5rnsr 26-7242 OENERAi ONCHA MTRACOASTALI STS Hi OSD IT 946-7419 WMNtSMXtflAMMOO U9l A ST AVE 5 MkAMl 2SS-5200 CHKA MOV CLOCK FOB ME ALSO AT MOVES- PLWfTATDN POPMK) FWCWHAOt -MAflKim -CKEE 90YNTCN TOWN CTR CORAL ACOt M4ZNEP PARK FOX FESTIVAL FOX 5UWUSE CORAL 3QCNEUA DfERFELC CINEMA COflB SAWORASS C08B SKAOOWO WESTON OATEWAY OELflAV 10 CO LAKEWOfiTH MOVIES OF OELAAV MUWCO THEATERS CAUFORNU CLUBS MOIVE 9klRYRD 1 52 -45 54 Sit i iJiLJtAi If 3-l A Super Low Price! Super Big Value I Let Scoop Newshound get your students thinking about numbers in a positive way! Addition and subtraction even and odd numbers measurements money shapes dates and more are all covered Recommended for grades 3 this special themed section is available for classroom use only Deadline for ordering: July 13 Publication Date: Tuesday July 19 To order simply fill out this coupon and return to: The Miami Herald Newspaper in Education One Herald Plaza Miami FL 33132 For additional information or to order by phone call: Dade: 376-3247 Broward: 764-7026 ext 3247 SUBJECT FEE OF $3 00 PER PERSON NOT INCLUDED IN ADVERTISED PRICE PAYABLE WHEN PORTRAITS ARE TAKEN Pose for advertised portraits our selection on your choice of background Your favorite props welcomed Additional poses taken for optional portrait collection with no to purchase No limit on the number of advertised collections per family but only one per subed Portrait sizes approximate Hurry And Get This Special Portrait Value! 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