The Pilot - Page 2
Disc or Discus:
Do You Play It, Or Throw It?
Across the Editor's Desk
Rod Stewart’s new album,
“Camouflage” departs from
his earlier efforts. With sur
prisingly intense vocals, rich,
popping synthesizer lines,
lavish horn arrangements, and
the awe-inspiring guitar work
of Jeff Beck, this album marks
a new milestone in Stewart’s
career. “Camouflage” is the
first product that both Beck
and Stewart have cooperated
on since they were both mem
bers of “Faces” in the early
seventies, and the result is
some seriously profound
music. In fact, this may be
Rod’s best work since the ad
vent of his song “Maggie
Mae,” (circa 1972.)
Camouflage’s whole first
side wails with the ups and
downs of a frustrated Stewart,
obviously searching for a
meaningful relationship. This
theme is inter-woven so
professionally that be the end
of the first side, you’ll be
swearing that this is the Sgt.
Pepper’s, (Beatles,) or
Terrapin Station, (Grateful
Dead,) album of the eighties.
“Infatuation,” the first cut,
leads playfully into “All Right
Now,” a remake of an old
“Free” tune written by Fraser
and Rodgers. (Remember Paul
Rodgers, more recently of
“Bad Company”?) This
departs from the standard
remake formula, (which, in-
cidentely, can be heard in the
AC/DC cover version of the
same tune,) percolating along
with new rhythms and vigor.
“Some Guys Have All the
Luck,” the second release
from this album, continues in
the passionate, frustrated
mood that the first two tracks
have firmly established, and by
the time we reach Todd
Rundgren’s “Can We Still Be
Friends” you’ll be convinced
that this is Stewart’s best work
to date. However, although
side two attempts desparately
to retain continuity, lifting the
same lilting synthesizer rifts
that wind into “Infatuation” to
start “Bad For You,” the com
positions of side two are solely
to blame for the lack of lasting
interest here. It seems that
Rod either wrote or co-wrote
all of the songs on side two,
while “Infatuation” is
Stewart’s only material on side
one. Before the first chorus of
“Bad For You,” one may
detect that detested disco beat
that has characterized so much
of Rod Stewart’s work. You
can sing the lyrics to “Pas
sion” at almost any point on
the second side, except for
perhaps “Trouble,” or the
Prince-influenced title cut,
“Camoflage.” The slick
production, horns, harmonica,
and Jeff Beck guitar solos can’t
cover up what’s lacking in
Rod’s compositions. However,
don’t miss “Trouble,” the work
of Stewart and producer
Michael Omartian.
Speaking of production,
Michael Omartian is better
known for his work in contem
porary Christian music, (i.e.
The Imperials, Second Chapter
of Acts, and a few albums with
his wife, Stormie...). He has
contributed synthesizer, brass
arrangements and percussion
here, as well as backing vocals.
It is quite obvious to anyone
who has listened to any of
Omartian’s own work that his
work was vital in producing the
fine overall balance that
prevades Camoflage. (Rumor
has it that Rod has joined the
ranks of Christianity; the
album, however, doesn’t really
do much to back up the claim.)
If Stewart continues to work
with Omartian, we may see
more quality material from
Rod in the future.
Overall, I might suggest
leaving this plater face-up on
your turntable. Side two’s only
redeeming quality is the
ballad-like “Trouble,” but
anyone can appreciate side
one, even without liking Rod
Stewart. Covering other peo
ple’s material and improving
on it seems to be Stewart’s only
strong point, as witnessed by
the contrast of the two sides of
Camoflage. Perhaps someone
ought to break the news that
disco really is dead...
For those of you who are in
terested in contemporary
Christian music, there’s “Un
dercover.” This California
based group has recently
released their second LP on
A&S Records, titled “Boys and
Girls Renounce the World.” If
you are interested in Christian
music but can’t stand the
Well, here it is.,.once
again...The Pilot your newly
reincarnated school
newspaper. We of the Pilot
staff, and I as Editor, have a
lot to say to you, the people of
Gardner-Webb: students,
faculty, and administrators. It
is my job to make sure that
issues are investigated,
policies are fair, and in
general, that campus news is
portrayed accurately and
honestly. It is your job as the
(hopefully) intelligent thinking
populace to question what I
print, how the administration
and faculty performs, and the
goings on of this institution in
general. You are going to know
how my staff and I feel about
pertinent, sometimes con
troversial issues, and we want
to know how you feel. If you
think I am wrong or uninfor
med, write me and tell me so.
Like wise, if you agree with
something the Pilot staff has
stated, write me and tell me
that, too. This endeavor is par
tially dependent on the staff,
but is also very dependent on
you. The success of this
publication is up to all of us not
just my staff. How about it
Gardner-Webb? Let’s make the
Pilot a motivating, thought
provoking, medium for all. I’m
willing, are you??
schmaltzy “pop” stuff you’ve
been hearing, this is for you.
This is for you. This is contem
porary Christian at its best:
Pure unadulterated power. The
lyrics are doctrinal, and dwell
on a personal relationship with
Christ. Lines like “three nails,
three days, one way to God”
from “Three Nails” present
the Gospel in its simplest form.
Overall, the music echoes
with that long-lost punk drive
that’s been missing since the
Sex Pistols disband^ in 1978,
and Undercover’s version of
“Holy, Holy, Holy” would
knock any sinner to his knees in
awe.
For those who are looking for
more conventional music,
songs like “Three Nails” and
“I’d Rattier Stay” fall into
slightly more conventional pat
terns, pumping along at a more
moderate beat, using distorted
guitars sparingly, and dwelling
on melodic synthesizer lines.
In fact, most of the vocals
fall somewhere in the diatonic
scale, and you can easily go
around humming these
melodies in your heart to God.
“Boys and Girls Renounce
the World” is a definite
progression from Undercover’s
first LP, (God Rules,” which
only true hardcore fans could
appreciate, and whose lyrics
would be unintelligable were it
not that they were sloppily pen
ned on the inner sleeve. The
use of more keyboards, slicker
production and real melodies
show the musical growth of
this group since their first ef
forts, and hopefully these guys
will be around to bring us more
of their unique style.
If you like “Andy McCarrol
and Moral Support,” you’ll love
Undercover. “God Rules” is
available on A&S 0005, and
“...Renounce the World” on
A&S SPCN 7-100-919827. If
you’re tired of Amy Grant
crooning about God’s love, then
drop Undercover on the
turntable and listoi to some
old-fashioned “fire-and-
brimstone.” Besides...you can
pogo to it!!
E. Pogo Costley
Pilot Editorial Policy
The Pilot’s policy for letters to the Editor maintains that the
letter must be signed by the student in order for it to be published.
The name may be withheld upon request.
The purpose of this policy is to benefit the student. Many stu
dents feel inhibited by peer pressure and would not submit a let
ter unless their names are withheld. Also, the editor needs the
student’s name in order to be assured that the letter is legitimate.
Please feel free to express your opinions to the Pilot in the
proper manner. All letters are welcomes. Simply place letters un
der the Student Publications door (112) in the C.I.D. building.
Students Answer Call of the Wild
Are you a would-be Indiana
Jones? Do you shun the con
fines of the indoors in favor of
the wide open spaces of the
wilderness? If the answer is
“yes” to either of these ques
tions, you belong in the Outdoor
Explorer’s Club.
Tlie Explorer’s, headed by
Dr. Thomas H. Jones, has been
a tradition at Gardner-Webb
for many years, previously
known as the “Science Club,”
and “Sigma Ganuna.” The
name Outdoor Explorer’s Club,
was finally adopted last year to
attract more students to the
club. The original names
scared off students who
thought the club was strictly
Science related or for Science
majors. A quick look at ttie
club activities shows this is not
the case.
Canoeing, kayaking,
backpacking, Alpine and Nor
dic style skiing, as well as cay-
ing are among the more pop
ular pursuits of the Explorers.
Long trips usually associated
with ecology classes, are a part
of the club activities. A caving
and climbing trip to West
Virginia over fall break and a
trip to the coast of North
Carolina are planned for this
semester, with skiing,
whitewater rafting, and ad
ditional caving trips planned
for next semester. These trips
are funded, in part, with in
come generated by conmiunity
science projects performed by
the members. Each member
gets credits according to how
much time he or she spends on
the project. The credits effec
tively reduce the cost that the
student has to pay himself.
Membership dues are $2.50 per
seniester.
Membership is not restricted
to those just enrolled in
Science classes. Persons in
terested should attend the next
Explorers meeting announced
in the Scroll or contact Dr.
Jones in the Science building.
The Pilot Staff
Wishes The G.W.C. Family An
Enjoyable and Safe Fall Break!!