April 29, 1997 Final Issue

Entertain us! This year at Appalachian
John Starling
Fetaures Editor

What a school year it's been! So many things have happened that it would be moronic (not to mention impossible) to recount all that has gone on.

Since this will be my last article as the features editor, I'm going to write about what concerns me the most: entertainment.

We've played host to a number of cool bands. Remember George Clinton, Jump Little Children, OutKast, Cracker and Squirrel Nut Zippers (both times)? We've had so many bands play here it made the year fly by.

We've also had some area bands fill our appetites: Sticky, Garden of Sirens, Agent Ink, Pink Collar Jobs, 800 Octane, Blue Rags and Wherever It Goes to name a few.

One of the most memorable moments of the year for me was the Cracker show. I must admit that I'm not a big Cracker fan. I do, however, have a vicious appetite for Camper Van Beethoven, lead singer David Lowery's band just before Cracker. I went and loved every minute.

The opening band, Self, was indeed a treat. I was not familiar with their music, though their name has been floating around for a while. Their new wave style was a surprise, with analog synth lines floating through the smoky air in Legends. They thoroughly blew me away.

I was more than satisfied with Cracker's performance. It was good to hear the few familiar songs, including "Teen Angst" and "Low". The crowning moment of the evening was at the very end of the show. I heard rumors from someone that they had been playing the occasional Camper Van song at recent gigs. When they did play one (a favorite of mine, "Come On, Darkness"), I felt like I was in heaven.

I'd also like to say that my other favorite moments were watching all the local bands I had the chance to see. Literally every one was outstanding. A particular thanks to Sticky, Agent Ink and Pink Collar Jobs for rocking me out of my fingernails.

Live music aside, there were some great albums that came out this school year. I can honestly say the best new album I heard this year was Tool's Aenima. I gave it four and a half stars when I reviewed it last semester. Despite my affection for the album, I do stick by that rating, because I feel that they have yet to deliver their best. Only time will tell. Learn to swim.

Kudos to Pearl Jam for taking a chance on No Code, even if they're nothing but a glorified version of an arena rock band.

Tricky's Pre-Millennium Tension was a fantastic blast from the past (and future). Songs like "Makes Me Wanna Die" make me want to...

Thanks to Geffen for exploiting Kurt Cobain's memory by releasing From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah. I bought it, it was decent but aren't there some b-sides, demos or outtakes worth putting out? We'll have to go back to the boots to hear those.

Time's been good to David Bowie, I just wish he'd done another art-crime album instead of Earthling. I'm a fan, but it's been awfully trendy to give this album a lot of undue praise.

Bush: where's the herbicide when I need it.

Marilyn Manson: I wish their image was growing up as much as their lyrics. Antichrist Superstar was the surprise of the year. I never thought I'd say that about a band with such a cliched, cheesy image, but damn, it was an impressive album.

One more note to top this off. I'll be stepping next door to editorials next year. I'm looking forward to hearing from everyone's opinions, even those contrary to me. And like it's always been, if you don't like it, either learn to love it or do something about it. I hope you prefer the latter.

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Year end staff picks

Since it's the end of the year, it's only fair that we indulge ourselves a bit. With this in mind, here's our staff's list of movie and album picks and why they chose them.

Renee Cagle, Managing Editor
The People Vs. Larry Flynt-"It's about a pioneer of the First Amendment."
Jewel: Pieces of You-"'Cause she can sing (her booty off)."

Vanessa Urruela, Editor-in-Chief
Gross Point Blank-"Because I like John Cusack. I've always had a crush on him."
Shawn Colvin: A Few Small Repairs-"Because she rocks. I can relate to her songs."

Chris Kinner, News Editor
The Rock-"Sean Connery!"
Medeski, Martin and Wood: Shack-Man-"It's the best stuff out today."

Mike Daniels, Sports Editor
Liar, Liar-"Jim Carey rules."
Jerky Boys 3-"The Jerkey Boys rule."

Bethany Parrish, Photography Editor
Lost Highway-"It (leaves you)...covered in chaos and left to ponder."
Lost Highway Soundtrack-"It is a collection of intense songs and sounds that tickle the tiny hairs deep inside the ear canal."

Darin Glass, incoming Editor-in-Chief
Supercop-"(It's) the story of the superhuman Chinaman (Jackie Chan) who kicks ass."
The Smashing Pumpkins: Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness-"It stretches a wide range of music from bedtime songs to in-your-face Billy Corgan screaming. Not to mention, D'Arcy's hot."

Ryan Price, Opinion Editor
Private Parts-"Stern is hilarious whether you like him or not. Plus, there's a hot lesbian scene."
Rage Against the Machine: Evil Empire-"The boys know how to get it on with their cutting lyrics and the deep bass grooves make me wanna get up and shake my rump. Go widit now!"

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