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sound

acd se eee a Nitin iste

Jar of Flies Alice in Chains (Sony)

Alice in Chains’ new e.p., Jar of Flies (4), is a re arkably credible experiment in styles: the band adds strings, harmonicas, violas and some strange instrumental

band also shows z

_ surprisingly soft touch on ballads like “Nutshell” and _ “Don't Follow,”

| and plays country- tinged melodic numbers like “No Excuses” with assurance. The old maniacal touches do surface, though as on “| Stay Awa’ and “Swing on This.” Jar of Flies/is never forced or, indulgent and the band’s stylisti swings never seem | superficial/ While quite restrained by this band’s standards, Jar of Flies’ title is apt, feflecting the desperation and frustration beneath its smooth, muffled surface. The sign of true greatness, Alice in Chains have transcended volume, expanding the“emotional range of their music, while maintainingthe sheer rage that defined

Antenna

Top is back with their latest release Antenna. It features more of the distinctive sound that has made them famous over the last decade. With Antenna, ZZ Top has

remained loyal to the powerful blues sound that has

made them famous as evident in the first single,

‘Pincushion’. Having the patent on the istinctive ‘bearded look’ it is difficult not to

a, has no surprises, it’s classic rock and ro i a rating of 3.

—Dana Dennis

salvation

reviews by kirby ferguson unless otherwi

The Sign Ace of Base (BMG) With their first North American release, The Sign, Ace of Base have become the major feature of contemporary dance mugit. Ace of Base is an experienced foursome 6 French musicians who over the last half 2 dozen years have developed a very loyal following in many European countries. After ‘All That She Wants’ proved to bé North American success the decision td concentrate on the North American dance scene was made. | was surprised to find that The Sign, unlike many other dance albums contains eleven quality

tracks. The Sign, rates as a 3.5 and is \ recommended for all club goers. A neg a np adel

King’s X have discovered a killer formula and they're sticking with it. The band’s latest, Dogman (3.5), is more of the usual: Beatle-esque vocal harmonies offset by bulldozer guitar riffs. | find both the flawless harmonies and immense guitar a little sterile, but the band has a firm grasp of rock dynamics and they, execute with enormous poten

—Dana Dennis

Acid Eaters Ramones (MCA) The only pank band still in existence, the Ramoneg still sound the exact same, WHICH ei. could either indicate true integrity or jusy a lack/of talent and imagination. The band’s latest, Acid Eaters (3), is a collection of govers, which could either indicate a return to roots and a reclarification of ggals, or artistic confusion and retrenchment. The band reinterprets the likes of Dylan, the Amboy Dukes, the ho (with a cameo by Pete Townshend imself), Jan and Dean, the Stones, CCR and a load more, doing exactly what you'd

expect: making them all sound like a Ramones songs. It'll all undoubtedly be a Gentleme lot more enjoyable to you if you’ve never The Afghan Wig

eard the Ramones or the original sohgs. e album clocks in at a half-hour, which gould either indicate reverence to rock’n'roll’s original attention span or just a\rip-off. Joey Ramone may not be a good singer, but I'll take him over this new Cj

none guy, a generic and, um, other alternative bands, the Afghan

competent singer who pops up on three sound isn’t one huge wall of distortigh--it’s tracks. The energy level on Acid Eaters is clear, precise and jarring. Without reasonably high, but the production is fla sacrificing the clarity of their sgund, the

and mushy. | don’t think there’s anything out thera that sounds more retro than/the Ramones; the thrill is gone. | give Acid Eaters one of the most marginal thambs up I've ever given.

more compelling if t interested in melody as they are in mood; onetheless,it is an addictive listen.