Page 32 - Scrimshaw1980-81

October 30, 1980 Scrimshaw page 4 Bruce comes of age with "The River" Tim Windsor "Ties That Bind" opensthe album After two and a half years of and quTckly sets the tone with the "I just act like I don't waiting and two and a half weeks simple line, "you can't break the remember of listening, It's still hard to get a ties that bind." Either stated or Mary acts like she don't fix on this album. The problem's Implied, that idea runs through care." not so much what Springsteen has nearly every songonthe album. At He's afraid to slip into the done here, rather it's who he is times Springsteensoundsresigned glassy-eyed state of middle Years from now, when people look to the fact while at others heseems America, beatenby his job, beaten back, he won't be considered the to draw hopefrom II; this bonding by himself. So,he "binds" himself greatest performer or the best helps him goon. . to someone, be it a wife or a writer or the most Important As far as I can remember, "The girlfriend, to pull himsef through figure of the rock era..all those River" is the first album to deal intact. Even after he leavesbehind spotsarealready taken by others. fully with a lower middle class life a wife and kid in 'Hungry Heart," Yet, there's no doubt that Bruce and all the problems it brings.. hegets hookedup again and finally Springsteen does what few others especIally marriage. Bruce is over realizes..-:- have been able to do. He gets thirty now and his thoughts have "Everybody needs a people excited about rock and roll. taken a turn for the domestic life. placetorest He brings respect to the least That brings back his love-hate Everybody wants to have respectable music in 'he world relationship with the ties that bind. a home without watering it down. He He almost denies them, but you t Don't make nodifference approaches each show and album can feel him reaching out; he I what nobodysays with an honesty missing in other wants that connection with I Ain't nobody like to be performers. He inspires normally someone. In "I Wanna Marry alone." staid persons to jump around and You," we flnd·Bruce following an I Once he's got this straight in his scream like maniacs at his con unwed mother of two kids, begging head, everything comes full circle certs. His influence has clearly her to do It up "proper" with him. with the last song "Wreck on the been felt in the rising tide Of young The scene is almost pitiful, like Highway." It's no secret by now rockers who'd like to take his something out of a bad Elvis that Bruce Springsteen Isobsessed place. And, with Elvis Presley and Presley movie. But it's oddly with cars as metaphors. This Sid Vicious both dead, he's the touching as well. album is no exception. By ending closest we have to e living rock The hardest thing to figure about I with the wreck, he's sating his hero. this LP Is if Springsteen himself is worst fear: to be knocked off the So, I come to this album after in these songs or whether he's highway forever. But, for the first waiting too long for It, with a developing a separate character. time he goes beyond that. He definite bias: I like Bruce For instance, this is one of the written in styles that Springsteen realizes that it would not be just his Springsteen. Period. This might most conservative rock albums grew up with. "Sherry Darling" comes off sounding nfC!iculous. death, but the final severance of help to explain some of the wild ever made. I get the picture of a resurrects the old form of Even though we all know he can the ties between him and his wife. praise that's about to hit 'he page mlddleaged dock worker talking "fraternity rock"with its wailing kick ass with the best of them, in It's the most touching andthe most as well as go a long way toward over hs problems with his buddies sax and loud background noise, "I'm a Rocker," Bruce sounds as accomplished song on the album, explaining why I stuck with parts at the bar. Statistically, he's while "Hungry Heart" looks to the convincing as Barry Manilow. set in a small, quiet melody, and it to this album that were tedious and probably a perfect Reagan sup- same early-tc.mtd sixties period Likewise, in "Drive All Night," his never really ends--it just fades embarassing. But more on that porter. ... but comes up with a perfect, assertion that he'd get behind the away. later. Wi,h that out of the way, I The question is, what place does smooth pop tune, complete with wheel "just to buy you some Springsteen'sworries, too, won'l canfinally get tothe album. Thus: rock music have in all of his vocal harmonies. Springsteen shoes" ring false. But those ever disappear. But by writing Springsteen was going to call grumbling?A lot, apparently. Just seems to be nodding to everyone moments are thankfully ehor. about them, he's probably better this two record set "The Ties That I taken on a musical level "The and everyfhj_ng: there's county tIIved. able to deal with them. And we car Bind," before he switched to "The r River" should be the album to win (Wreck On The Highway"), At the heart of "The River' is as well. There are no "magic rats RIver." I suspect he changed the Springsteen mass appeal (he Is, southern boogie ("Cadillac Springsteen's immense fear that driving their slick machines" here, title because it encompassed the after all, stili the biggest cull hero Ranch"), and even Jerry Lee somewhere,somehowit's all going just normal everyday people themeofthe album soneatly that It In rock). There's a solid handful of Lewis and Neil Young type songs to go sour on him. He can trying to make something out of would've seemed too obvious. It typical Bruce songs to please the ("Ramrod" and "The River," remember great times in the past, the mess.Therein lies the triumph would be like calling "Born To fans, but he's most interesting respectively). early carefree days but now, as he of ''The River." Run" something like "Urban when he experiments with dlf- Sometimes, his tendency to show says in "The River ... AlienatIon." Regardless, the song ferent forms. The songs are off gets the better of him and he McCullin: comedian, Seniors in our backyard Andi Yob impressionist, ect... If not for the groans and clatter such as Dinner Club, Meals on desire. Randy Heck of the most unique features of his of the construction machinery Wheels, Housing Aid, Life The senior center strives to keep Attention all Western Maryland show is a highly personal, yet currently landscaping their ex- Enrichment are for nursing home up its quality of service and aid students: an excellent comedy act universal story line which weaves terior, few WMC students might residents and an office set up for year after year. Its main directive, is coming your way In just a few his entire act together. In essence, ever have noticed tbe extstanceof the exploration of alternate energy says Janice Watklns,who headsthe days. No, I am not talking about his life translated through musical the Carroll County Senior Citizens applications are offered. operation, "Is to stay committed to the 1980 Presidential elections, but comedyexpressions. Center. Located one block off In previous years, WMC students keeping people out of old-age rather of a unique and versatile As far as credentials are con- campus on Schoolhouse Avenue held fund raisers in an effort to homes and to make the elderly performer named Mark Mc· cerend, Mark is far from starving! (which is off Union Street between help the center provide a meansof sett-renent and capable of feeling Cullum. On November 3, (Mon· Television appearances include Main Street and Pennsylvania transportation for Its patrons. This self-respect." The center em. day) at 8:00 p.m., in Alumni Hett. the Showfime and Home Box Of- Avenue,) the center is designed to is just one example of the use of phaslzes Its primary objectives the very talented Mr. McCullum fice ComedySpecial "The Big Laff will bring his outrageously funny Off." He has headlined at several ~:;i~:nt:,estminster's elderly ~~~::;e;~;~nW~:~i;:~: nc:~e~f ~:'~~~~~I'~~e i~~::n:r~~tt~iVi~~: show to our fortunate community big night clubs such as San All seniors are welcome to enjoy help to carry out programs and stitutional care for the disabled via _the Lecture/Concert Com Francisco's prestigious Great the many activities offered, such organize events. The Western aged, and to assure a comfortable miftee. Best of all, it is' free to all American Music Hall. Since he as pool, cards, table games, crafts, Maryland Circle K, headed by level of living for the elderly. WMC students. Mark combines works cut of San Franslsco, Mc- library, and music. Three meals a Betsy Wallace, plans to institute a Outlooks for the future include music and comedy In a way that Cullum's act is extremely well day are served for interested project this year as they have in developing in each area in the has never been done before. In known on the WestCoast. But most parties, and in home services are previous years to aid the center in county a center to establish short, he is "a muslcet.ccmlc.. important of all, Mark's specialty provided to elderly people who various ways. Students are recreational activities for the actor-impressionist," and is known is performing before college need assistance in maintaining welcome to offer their volunteer elderly. Long range plans look as the next Steve Martin to many audiences as he has toured prominentcrltlcs. numerous campusesfrom coast to r'''_,;;;e;;'''~''iii~iiliiieo;;;diiie0i"i,e.,_p_,og..,_am_, .,.e,.v.',.e,.';,;,o .'h,;:e..,.eo;;;'e.' ..if~t;;;he;;Y..;~",t ~oe~~;~s~~eaf,e;,e~:~~t~~,~~;~:~~ Mark's act covers the entire coast. For that reason, Mark's Sportswear & Athretie Shoes 'J '0 that ce-rcu County residents spectrum of comedy. Beginning routine Is geared toward the with impressions from an array of are en- college student. Critics "1 rl-':;;'A . r~~ .: the addition of facilities such as cartoon characters such as Popeye thralled by McCullum's per- .:/r,·' r''ET rr'ET-:-t. -:j :~~:~~~~~f~~:e~~~;e~' ~::,:':~~ tcrmences-vwccouums reno and Olive Oyl, Yogi and BooBoo, "Phcne-a-Fr-iend".. a measure and of course the Muppets, Mc- dltions brought shouting and FAIRGROUND VILLAGE CENTER Installed to help seniors with Cullum captivates the audiencethe stomping demands for a double moment he stepsonto the stage. He encore...perfect on all marks" 330 ONE FORTY VILLAGE ROAD ~~r~::~a~~ a:~~en7t~~s t~I~~:~: then will dazzle the audience with (Los AngelesTimes) weSTMINSTER MARYLAND 21157 ee wen . musical Impersonations covering To relieve some of that built up . •~All B;ands ~fAthietic Shoes-- . "All. this Is ~trlvlng to be ac- the world of tunes of the last tension and anxiety, socommon to twenty years. From Elvis to Led the Western Maryland student, (warm-up Suits& Sportswear ~~:;~::;h;;:'thS:l!r:'~~:~~ ,~~a~: Zeppelin to Arlo Guthrie, back to come out Monday night and laugh the Beafles and on to presert stars 10%Disc~nt with 10,Silk Screen Printing for Gro~ps ~1~~~Z;;he:;~~~~,:~!~~~!eem and such as Blondie and the Cars. One like you've never done before. (And it's FREE).