WAY OUT WEST

by Beth Kelleher

Way Out West's "Intensify" is a powerful insight into the heart of these musicians. More than just ultra-talented DJ's, codrcamers, Nick Warren and former child prodigy, Jody Wisternoff have teamed up to blend their passion for dance beats with their appreciation for progressive house music rhythm and their desire to connect with emotionally concentrated listeners. Stemming from untouchable careers as world-recogni:,,;edDJ's, the releaseof "The Gift" in 1997 brought them the recognition for their natural flair for spinning heart .ind sound that they were after.

what seems to be bubble gum and sugar coated, until the crystal clear lyrics start with "Can't Cry These Tears Anymore", "Cup of Coffee'' .ind "Cherry Lips" and realize the irony of the music compared to the lyrics. The combination of Rock, Pop, and Eighties Electronic, with the emotional, poetic lyrics will blow you away.

A multi-genre album, ''Intensify" has a sound somewhere in-between Enya, and Chemical Brothers. Tracks such as the confused "The Fal I" and it's remix embody the soulful nature of the .ilbum, while "Call Me" intro~uces American Funk overtones .ind both title-tracks. ''Intensify P.irt 0 I" and "Intensify Part 02" re-introduce the audacious dance-tcchno from which Way Out West originally Found it's identity.

This week's pen is a talking Darth Vader head. Star Wars was cool when I was four. Other things that were cool at about the same time were jogging pan1s, T-ball. dinosaurs, Light-Brite, and Transformers. We don't go out after school to play T-bal I and transformers anymore, so why the f'ascinotion with Sutr Wars? I am such a geek. The nostulgia part aside, this pen was a bitter Jisappointmcnt. Wi1h the nid of the packaging I was able 10 Jecipher Darth's cryptic, gibberish. Phr.ises like "Don't undcrcstimaw the power of the force" and "Whal is thy bidding, my master:· arc real-

Iy only good in the bedroom, and how. The writing quality leaves much to be de~ired, after about ten minutes, it refused lo write. My advice to concerned consumers is to save yC)ur$5.50 and buy some dental noss instead.

Just think about it...

"Intensify" has a seamless flow that interweaves the profoundly mixed evocative music of Warren and Wisternoff with eerie and deeply emotional vocals from a vari· ety of female singers. Kirsty Huwkshaw and Aly Kennon, produce a musical invention that connects with sentimentalists as much as it unites dancers in the club scene.

Rating: 3 / 5