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Show THURSDAY, 4. 1997 DECEMBER VIEW MAGAZINE Square Pegs Share Gambling Jones in Oscar and Luanda by Heather Dixon MTV, - is what you've been waiting for aU - yourlife. . " ,in.s - . tf that fc the istfe, then Gaine Summers is not the musical artist "v old-fash- ioned acoustic rock. If you think Fm : saying she has nothing in common "with the burgeoning techno scene,' ; then you would be incorrect; Summers shares with artists bite the Chemical .. Brothers and the Prodigy that most. v I f I i : i 1 ft I vv . ' ";-- 0-"'-- at the Zephyr Friday night, recently released her debut solo album. . Transplanting. The album is brimrning .with 10 juicy little rock numbers which seem .'', There is a term I heard a while back and really liked. It's something called "Oscar-baitwhich is simply any film released between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. Films are released at this time so they are fresh in the minds of Academy members when Oscar time rolls around. Apparently Academy members have the attenand"can't tion span of a 2 year-ol- d seem to recall any film released in, say, April or May. Oscar and Lucinda is "Oscar-baitIt will have a limited, release at the end of this month in a few major cities, then it will be released nationwide, most likely with Lucinda, gets him ousted from the church. Little did he know Lucinda had a history of corrupting men of the cloth. ," Oscar (Ralph Fiennes) is a twitchy bundle of nerves who never seems to have enough to do with his hands. Oscar is a very painfully awkward character. Despite his flaws, Oscar is an immensely likable man and one can't help but feel for him. the other hand, has the fire of a true free spirit. Her personality is often at odds with the repressive society of the late 1800s. Given that women then were Lucinda, on ." prize-winni- supposed to be genteel and soft spoken, Luanda's courage is remarkable. She inherits a great deal of money after her mother's death. Needing direction and a purpose, she invests the money in a glass works, which, to her, seemed as goodan investment as any. early next year. Oscar and Lucinda is a very odd, but sweet story of two square pegs in a decidedly round world. In each other they find a kindred spirit. They have a distinct view of the world and a love of life, not to mention a wicked 'gambling jones.' Oscar is a but devoted minister. He receives his call early in life. His call was a strong one and he leaves home early to attend school. While at school he is introduced to the fine art of wagering on horse racing. Needing money to cover his expenses at school, and having quite a bit of success at it, Oscar is bitten by the gambling bug in a big way. That, along with his relationship a believable character that would work in any period. She should be credited for breathing life into what has become a stereotypical role beaten into the ground by less talented actresses. Some of Blanchett's success has to be credited to Gillian Armstrong's direction. Armstrong has shown a gift for directing strong women and strong roles. Her previous films including the most recent version of Little Women have depicted women as positive, independent role models. The story, based on the novel by Peter Carey, takes so many and turns twists many it's hard to follow. It gets too weird in places and a lot of it just does not make sense. It will be interesting to see just how many Oscar nods this one garnishes. It would be nice to see a chick get nominated for Best Director. It would be even nicer to see her win. Go Gillian. Lucinda also picks up gambling. Her reasons for doing so were not as d, " " ; ' . . laid-bac- which befits the title of her record k the label run by Loosegroove of Pearl Jam. ' The opening track, "The Real Low Down "and the catchy pop ditty, which resembles recent are prime examples Teenage Fandub of Summers' formula, and give the dearest musical dues to why her sound is similar to fellow singersongwriter Pete Droge an experimental number where our heroine attempts to ROCK. The track sounds like what the Bay , City Rollers may have sounded like if they had been formed in Seattle during 1992 and enlisted Elaine Summers to , ' sing for them. In truth, it's not that bad, but it does take away from the flow of the album. Luckily, there are enough listenable songs on Transplanting to make up for ' . it. . Elaine Summers' live show is If dipped in airy of the energy and heartfelt disposition that her debut is, then it should be one hell of a performance. Also performing at the Zephyr Friday are The Lovemongers, the band' comprised of Ann and Nancy Wilson of late '80s cardiac-rockeHeart, but "Laugh" - ' -- to have been tamed by Summersand then performed by the sirigersong-- . writer at an almost lethargic tempo. Thats not to say her music is bor- -, 7 ing. The amazing thing is, somehow, unlike most other artists in the " ; country rock tripped-ou- t, label . rare tf commodities: pure, passionate r energy. ". Summers who will be rerforming V - Stone Gossard : i v Lefs get one thing straight Summers almost consistently produces 7 "you've been waiting for all your life. -. What she is, however, is t bluescountry rock genre. Summers throws a little something into the mix which peps her songs up to no end. Perhaps it's her unique vocal style. At first her singing can be just brushed off as that of a country singer trying to do the "rock thing" alrit twangy,, a bit grungy. But, after a few listens, her voice takes on more of a personality; one notices the way she adds a sexy nasal rasp every few lines to grab the listeners attention, or the way her voice becomes hauntingly robotic on the chorus of the standout album track "Gone To Stay." And, as long as she doesnt sing like Melissa Etheridge, who rs chances are that it will be Summers the show, unless the who will steal Wilsons have decided to go "gangsta lipSIHpiSiMSIIBiBBB So she cares anyway? there you have it. Though may not have spiky pink hair and numerous body piercings, given half a chance and a bit of polishing Or perhaps the spunkiness of the album comes from the way the songs themselves just seem to slink their way Elaine Summers is just as likely to break the big time as any other hot new act on the rock scene. onto your stereo, lay back in a badly clear as Oscar's. Basic boredom, or perhaps some sense of guilt, led her to get rid of her fortune. Lucinda (Cate Blanchett) is truly odd. She is the squarest of pegs. While they are both misfits, Lucinda is a confident, even proud one, while Oscar struggles with it. Blanchett is a standout from the other period piece actresses. She cuts a niche for herself by creating 5 painted wicker chair, roll an enormous joint, and puff away the days in the gleeful '60s sunshine world they live The new style is hoe, or so jays radio, and the press. Hectronka - - Gareth Horwood Buddy wotks l6rd at school needs to ploy once in a while. Going fishing is one of the bast for (students to pa Every week hundreds of students just like you wade into the stream at fho : Vbwtoxi), cast their lines. This month three special parties will attract your attention:. Sean Boy ways Walton's living Room Pajatna Partv II on Friday, December 1 2th; i yi 1 JW.1oPcrlKotClub,XCo.lme 31- - I :, iahtmWednesday.Decembcr 17ih; coming 199a-c- n Isn't it time to go out and play; ex; a "private : club SmbreCDowntown. 521-92- 1 - : 9) ilii |
