Cowboy Junkies BMG) by Kirby Ferguson The Cowboy Junkies 1988 release The Trinity Session is one of the most unique albums of recent years. Fearlessly intimate and provoca- tively quiet, the album is held near and dear by many people and is certainly essential mood music. Black Eyed Man is the sound of a more mature, musical act. Adding new detail and animation to the same musical idea, the Junkies have taken their brand of very Velvety worldweariness toa new level, and in doing so have created the best album Ive heard, possibly, since Sinead O’Connor’s/ Do Not Want What I Haven't Got--which gives me an Opportunity to leap off the beam fora while. If you want to hearan incredibly beautiful piece of music, ; sheck out Sinead’s version of Elton John’s “‘Sacri- ice’’ on the Two Rooms tribute: when the two overdubbed Sinead vocals intertwine for the cre- scendo, it is to die for. You gotta hear it; it’s abso- lutely fantastic (don’t buy that album though, it’s got ns of turds).

Back to the Junkies--Black Eyed Man is the work of a dramatically advanced band sporting their most de- failed musical palette and anew confidence, as we can arin Margo Timmins’ most assured singing yet and brother Michael’s eloquent guitar work. Featuring porgeous textures of mandolin, harmonica, fiddle and bello, this is a country album with a heart (anda rain). Several of the album’s many high points melude ‘Oregon Hill,’’ with its New Orleans horns nd Margo Timmins dual vocals, ‘‘Murder, Tonight, Nthe Trailer Park’’ and the two Townes Van Zandt or positions, ‘‘Cowboy Junkies’ Lament’’ and ‘‘To

| ve Is To Fly.’’

ically the album bears remarkable similarities to

tuce Springsteen's Nebraska (one of rock’s lyrical

1 asterpieces); ‘livin’ smostly wastin’ time,’’ ‘‘this 1 rld’s lost its mystery’’ and many more sound like u teasts from that album. Though he may notbe @zlingly original, Michael Timmins’ folky romanti- mia, broken dreams and yearning for

a. stand up as one of music's more interesting s. (Lcan’tleave this comparison alone, butif you nt nt to hear a devastating poetic statement, check out

Nebraska; the man is without pretension.) (Speaking of Bruce, did you know he has two albums, Human Touch and Lonely Town, coming out in the early

2 , Spring? Supposedly they are actually two separate some albums, unlike Use Your Illusion, which was really a

double album.) (Speaking of new releases, Sonic Youth should have a new one out by the summer. Oh yeah, Neil Young’s gota new one, supposedly a Harvest sequel [oh joy!], coming out real soon.) (And where did all this fascinating info come from? Yes, that glossy, cologne smelling, hypocritical, sixties worshipping magazine: Rolling Stone. Did yousee their critics’ picks of 91? Bullshit, I say! Where’s Storyville! And what’s Nevermind doing there! And Out Of Time number one! And who are the American Music Club? Never heard of ‘em. Terrible name.) (What was I talking about? Nebraska! Fantastic album. When it comes to the writin’ lyrics thing, Bruce is the king of ‘emall y’all. Wait a minute...)

Yes, the Junkies! Black Eyed Man isa wonderful album (and Canadian); buy it. And don’t forget Ne- braska (Bruce should be paying me for this); it’d make a great companion piece. In case you haven't noticed, this review is completely spontaneous. This buck shot approach to journalism must be really tedious reading, so I’Il just end it. (But speaking of tedious reading, the new Alter Ego is out [may as well cover everything while you’re here] , and it’s pretty sharp. It’s available in very limited quantities around campus and at various businesses around town. Shit, you'll have Nebraska, Black Eyed Man, Alter Ego--oh yeah, and Sinead’s ‘‘Sacrifice’’... wow, what life affirming culture!) (1 apologize for this verbal vomit. I hang my head in shame.)

Fora listen to the Cowboy Junkies’ Black Eyed Man, tune in to the Island’s only alternative, CIMN, 104.5 FM cable or 700 AM on campus.

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March 5, 1992

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