Soundbites

Published: Monday, September 29, 1997

Monday, September 29, 1997

Soundbites

Usher, "My Way" (LaFace/Arista) Usher remains cool and relaxed for his soothing second album, "My Way," co-produced by the omnipresent music mogul Babyface. In a balanced mix of soft sophisticated rhythms and danceable beats, this R&B album sprinkled with the right amount of rap delivers nine original tracks and one remix. While Usher rolls out his own waves of vibrant vocals, what makes this album ride higher than the next "brotha's" regular la-la's of love are the added feature guests on a third of the tracks. In the current top-10 hit "Slow Jam," hip-hop starlet Monica reciprocates Usher's croons about wanting to dance and "find someone who/I can give my good lovin' to" in opposite stanzas. "Just Like Me" features Lil' Kim in a sexy rap about the "nigga brothas" and whoever's "got it going on" backed up by hand-swaying drum ticks and tocks. Babyface makes his influence known in his solo song "Bedtime," a sweetly solemn and sultry ballad about body cravings and a mind saturated with a lover's longings.

"My Way" is filled with songs that ask and not beg, that dance and not slam, that long and not lament. The slow numbers are classic romantic R&B and the fast are quick enough to snag a beat without pounding it into the ground. Surprise, surprise - yet another Babyface-disciple success story in the making. Nerissa Pacio A-

Oasis, "Be Here Now" (Epic) Ever since Oasis landed west of the Atlantic, respect has not come easy for the cocky quintet. American radio listeners can't seem to separate their music from the arrogant trash-talk associated with their interviews and television appearances (some still think they're broken up). Yet, beyond their bratty reputations, Beatles' comparisons and monstrous successes (that helped this album go 10 times platinum in one week in their native U.K.), there's the music. "Be Here Now" represents pop music making at its best, thanks to songwriter and guitarist Noel Gallagher's ingenious hooks and melodies.

But the amazing thing about Oasis' third release (in three years) may just be little brother Liam's extraordinary vocals. Where "Definitely Maybe"

showcased his swagger and "(What's the Story) Morning Glory" focused on his vulnerability, Liam shares with us a maturing voice that soars with feeling. Songs like the beautiful, flawlessly tender "Don't Go Away" and the heartbroken-tinged "Stand By Me" are especially moving with Liam hitting all the right notes at all the right times.

"Be Here Now" wonderfully balances the ballads and the rockers, and it does rock hard. Songs like the soaring anthem "D'You Know What I Mean" and the sonic-drenched, aptly titled "My Big Mouth" give no mercy to the eardrums, yet at the same time flow and bounce melodically and even confront issues of being, well, ignorant rock stars ("I ain't never spoke to God/And I ain't never been to heaven/But you assumed I knew the way"). Noel graces the album vocally with one song, the psychedelic ballad "Magic Pie." Oasis throws us the "Hey Jude" trip with the nine-minute opus, "All Around the World," complete with orchestra. And don't forget those countless Beatles' references ("So get on the helter skelter," "A fool on the hill and I feel fine").

Say what you will about Oasis. Yet in the end, they have proved that now is the best time to be here, and they've done it with a masterpiece. As Liam would say, "Are ya mad for it?" Most definitely. Mike Prevatt A+

Aqua, "Aquarium" (MCA) Harking back to the glory days of '80s European dance-pop music, the Danish quartet Aqua recasts a familiar formula with a surprisingly entertaining touch of camp and humor. Their debut album exhibits a carefree and partying attitude all backed by a mix of light disco beats and keyboard sampling.

Aqua's mission in life is to take you to a huge cartoon world of bright colors and brighter music, not to break new ground musically. Aqua's biggest American hit so far, "Barbie Girl," is any sex-starved teenager's dream. Lene Nystroem assumes the position as the defenseless Barbie girl, ready and willing to beg and be played with and undressed for the attention of a guy, complete with her high-pitched baby-girl voice and accompanied by an incredibly catchy chorus and dance-happy music.

Nystroem isn't just a one-pitch wonder, either. She shows off her vocal range in songs like "Good Morning Sunshine" and "Turn Back Time," two ballads that surely will keep Aqua roaming the upper tier of the Billboard charts. Rapper Rene Dif does a rap break down on almost every song, as well, but more often than not, comes up sounding like Vanilla Ice with strep throat.

Aqua is a good 45-minute escape from the pomp and circumstance of British pop and grinding repetitive musical concoctions of electronic music. It's a journey into irrelevant disco pop that moves the body and leaves you feeling guilty for liking such fluff. Trinh Buy B+

Catherine Wheel, "Adam and Eve" (Mercury) Somehow, Catherine Wheel's ethereal mix of reverberating guitars and tightly wound bass lines surge into a delectable soup of emotional energy. Oftentimes frought with that note of despair, their sound, though perhaps difficult to decipher the root of, leaves one satisfiedly ruined nonetheless. For instance, in the song "Ma Solituda," the line "Ma Solituda seeks confusion" seems to clear everything up despite its enigmatic statement. With its driving chords and underlying bass riffs, the somber tune sinks down, as the lead singer turns right around and lets loose a sweet, cloudlike set of musings which jar the piece right off its rails.

Other highlights include both "Future Boy" and "For Dreaming" (the first and last tracks, respectively) which focus on gentle lyrics and the singer's melt-in-your-ears, buttery voice. Yet, much of the album sells itself on its ability to soothe, energize, and fit snugly in as background music to a comfortable gathering at home or just an evening of staring at the wall. Regardless, while "Adam and Eve" may not answer the mysteries of creation, it may unleash the wild garden in the primordial world of your soul just enough to allow you to not merely get through another day, but to make a moment or two of your mundane life just a little bit more interesting. Vanessa VanderZanden B+

USHER

"My Way"