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Show Monday, February 11, 1991 THE SIGNPOST Entertainment Hollow Men1 release first full length By Jennifer Harding Staff writer of The Signpost The Hollow Men's newest release titled "Cresta" will be coming your way February 12 and I suggest you take a listen. The Hollow Men have previously produced two other LPs, their debut in 1987 'Tales of the Riverbank," and 'The Man Who Would Be King," in 1 988. Both were released solely in Britain. "Cresta," is the first full length LP to hit the United States. 'Tales of the Riverbank," was released only in promotional copies, which are now considered collectors items in Britain. "The Man Who Would Be King," was inspired by British childhood nightmares featuring The Child Catcher" from "Chitty Chirty Bang Bang." They have also released a The spector of censorship sparks sales By C. M. Howard Arts editor of The Signpost Shhhhh! If you listen very carefully you can hear someone laughing. No wait, if you really listen you can hear that there is actually not one but several people laughing - laughing, if I may use a cliche, all the way to the bank. I have an unjournalistic hunch that .the late John Gardner's ghost is guffawing the most. What are all these people laughing about? (And I must admit that I can't help but laugh along with them, even though my financial status is not affected.) A book. A book, deemed by a small circle of paternalistic demogogues to be too unsavory for their wards' tender and very impressionable minds. A book beddings Veal a 'Langtais 14.95 Sauteed with herbs, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese 'Marsala 11.95 veal sauteed with mushrooms and marsaCa wine sauce Tarmigiana 12.95 veal topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese Xing Xamihamefia 14.95 mahi mahi in cream sauce and teriyakj chicken SuaXnTasta 1135 eight ounce tyw yorstrip withfettuccini alfredo A Perfect Place series of singles which are only found in the U.K. One of these singles, "White Train," featured a self-propelled video. In between the releases of the two albums and the singles. The Hollow Men found time to open for bands like The Wonderstuff, The Lilac Time, and The Stone Roses. Their "Cresta" tour has been well-received throughout England, and has received critical acclaim. The Hollow Men took shape in 1986 in the upstairs compartment of a Leeds to Otley bus when lead vocalist, David Ashmore said, "I've got a spanking great picture that would make a knob'ard (single sleeve LP cover), do you wanna make a record to go in it?" The song titles are designed to get the listener psyched for the music. The album title "Cresta" was derived from a fizzy, fruity, sherberty, soft drink, popular in Britain in the seventies, according that has become the arch foe of this group of crusading individuals. A book that is twenty years old. The book in question is "Grendel" by John Gardner. Certain references in the book to sex and violence, especially against women, have sparked the ire of this self-appointed band of thought police. I can admire the courage of a few parents of Viewmont High School students who have the daring to stand up to the daunting bureaucracy of the school system and demand protection for their children who are rapidly becoming adults. But in this case I shake my head in disappointment. These few people who are screaming so loudly for the removal of "Grendel" from the shelves of the school have unwittingly exposed their own ignorance and Receptions to Celebrate Valentines Weeli to an Arista Records press release. The styleofThe Hollow Men is very similar to that of The Charlatans U.K. and The Stone Roses. They possess their own individual style, a swinging mix between the sixties and the present. On Side One of the LP is the mellow but funky tune "Don't Slow Down." It delivers just enough artistic unity to call it a hit. I wouldn't go so far as to say that you will be left with a deep message, but you will be left entranced by the beat and synchronous melody. The next song 'The Moon's a Balloon," is a rhythmic creation of semi-sweet chanting. This piece was inspired by a line in an e.e. cummings poem. Although lacking in the area of delivery, it is rejuvenated by its energy. The third song, entitled "November Comes," shows the band's support for the insecurities. "Grendel" is Gardner's retelling and interpretation of the Beowulf tale. The story is told through the monster Grendel who, besides having an occasional human for a meal, becomes a kind of voyeur as he studies and contemplates theunusual behavior of the humans he is eating. Humans arouse both revoltion and a compelling curiousity in the spying monster. According to Laurie Sullivan's article in the Jan. 28 issue of the Ogden Standard Examiner, "Grendel" has been on the reading list in senior and advanced placement English classes for five environmental group Creenpeace. This tempestuous ballad is effectively presented and entertaining, with infectious lyrics like "Here comes November and she's burning up the skyWhere are the stars tonight? Falling from the sky?With all the toxic waste That keeps them from my sight." On Side two you find yourself on "Barefoot Parade," a melodramatic, folksy yet modern-inspired song. It blends the sounds of the sixties with synthesized poetry. "Louder than God," is the next work and introduces the first piece almost entirely accompanied by guitar. It harnesses feelings of a sultry horseback ride in the valleys of the Grand Canyon, with an almost dreamy sensation. A favorite on the entire album is "Beautiful Sun," a treasure accompanied by the vocals of Fiona of The Parachute Men, courtesy of years at Viewmont High. It was not a required selection and an alternate choice was available to those students who wished not to read it. She also stated that of the more than 40 complaints the school recieved, only one person claimed to have even read the book! Are those concerned parents so insecure about their childrens' behavior that they feel this fervent need to police what their children chose to read? Is it safe to assume that if the children were properly educated by their parents at home to decriminate whether or not a piece of literature was personally suitable that these parents would feel this need to stamp and parade about their disguised mistrust? Being a journalist and an English major I take particular offense to censorship, especially (Banquets Xs-tv World Solium ..... 12.95 eight ounce broiled filet with creamy dill sauce 'Mahi'Mafu 1235 eight ounce broiled fikt topped with btamaise sauce Qourmet Shrimp 1435 five jumbo prawns lightly breaded and deep fried (Prime "Rib (Queen's Cut) 14.95 undoubtedly, the best prime rib in all the land Jt Ol Duke s 7ivourite 13.95 ten ounce ribeyefrom the heart of prime rib cooked Hawaiian style (Ihe Return LP for US Fire Records. . Among the other songs are "Pantera Rosa," "Misunderstood," and 'Tongue Tied." All songs were produced by The Hollow Men. The band consists of five members. David Ashmore, the lead vocalist also designs all of the band's LP covers, T-shirts and other items. He is a literary maven, resident humorist, and a fan of famous English eccentrics. Choque (pronounced Chock) is the rhythm and acoustic guitarist as well as producer of "Cresta." He is obsessed with robots and collects old containers of tin. Lead guitarist Brian E. Roberts used to be a TV and film extra and is the only member who is a Manchester, England native. The other members are all native Leedsmen. Jonny Cragg on drums is said to be the most silent, yet brighter, (See HOLLOW page 9) of book when the instigators of the censorship haven't even read the very thing they wish to exorcize. In their attempt to remove "Grendel" from their childrens' high school, these parents have in fact promulgated awareness in the book and generated curiousity in such a degree as to render "Grendel" a rare book indeed. Rare not as in sense of having it shelved away in the dustiest and darkest recesses of availability, as the concerned parents would wish, but rare in the sense that the public, burning to read such acclaimed obsensity, has bought or barro wed all available copies. It's a well known fact in the publishing business that there's nothing like stirring up a little controversy to help make a book sell. In my search to get my paws on (See CENSORSHIP page 9) Private Parties Of gmanct T0 fine, (Dining 773-1000 930 West 2000 'Hgrth (AnteCope 'Drive) Lay ton |