From: dap@predator.vpharm.com (David A. Pearlman)
Newsgroups: alt.music.alternative
Subject: Re: Trip Shakespeare?
Date: 14 Apr 92 19:55:48 GMT
Organization: Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

In article <1992Apr14.143059.263@news2.cis.umn.edu> hoffman@n1.math.umn.edu (John R. Hoffman) writes:
>In article <sdk9rINNacv@agate.berkeley.edu> jhuy@garnet.berkeley.edu (Jack B.  
>Huynh) writes:
>> I was wondering if anyone can tell me what this band sounds like.
>> I have seen several articles about them but nothing about what they
>> sound like.
>
>Trip Shakespeare sounds like the typical Minneapolis garage band mixed with 
>a dosage of pop.  Over the 
>last couple of years they've achieved a decent following in the minneapple.
>With songs titled "Tool Master of Brainerd" for example.
>
>I'd categorize them as a pop like sound, tongue in cheek lyrics, where it helps 
>to be a minnesotan to get the jokes. three guitarists (one of them a singer)  
>and a drummer.  If you've never seen them it'd be worth it (but not for the
>$10 they've begun charging in the local clubs) 


I'd strongly disagree here. They sound nothing like a garage band. Haven't
for a few years now. Both of their major label releases, "Across the
Universe" and "Lulu" are well-produced and very well performed pop gems.
"Tool Master of Brainerd," while still a staple of their live shows, isn't
representative of their recent work.

I've spent a total of two days of my life in Minnesota, and I have no trouble
understanding the humor behind their lyrics. All three "guitarists" (one of
whom is a bassist) sing. And well, too. The drummer is the only one who
doesn't sing, actually.

And for $10 they put on a great show. Below is a review I posted when they
visited Boston a little while back...

dap

--- o ---

I caught Trip Shakespeare last night in concert at Nightstage in
Cambridge, MA. Or perhaps it would be more correct to say they caught
me with their spellbinding set of ringing pop-rock tunes.

How many groups can you name that have 1) a female drummer who stands
while she plays; 2) three lead singers, any one of whom would
improve the singing quality of most groups; 3) a song ("Toolmaster of
Brainerd") that features an extended rhyme/rap section created impromptu
during each concert; 4) the ability to switch from a deliciously thick
wall of melodic guitar buzz to an all-acoustic set or to three part
a capella harmonies, without missing a beat, and make it all work perfectly?.
Trip Shakespeare does, as they aptly demonstrated last night.

In a well-paced generous club set that lasted nearly 2 hours, Minnesota's Trip
Shakespeare played music from all of their four studio albums. Much
to their credit, the songs from their recent A&M release played out just
as well as the many crowd pleasing "oldies" favorites. Almost without
exception, the live performances improved on the already excellent studio
recordings, instilling them with crashing excitement cut by precision
haromies.

One of the precursors for great performances is artists who are clearly
in command of their instruments, but don't oblige the temptation to
showboat, opting instead to use their talents to augment the songs
themselves. With the exception of an amusing four-member drum "solo",
every arrangement was purposeful and succint. Which only made the
strong underlying melodies shine more brightly.

The group also displayed a wit and repartee with the audience often
missing from today's rock shows. The group members clearly enjoy
playing live and that spills over to the audience.

At a time when so many groups snip together decent sounding albums from
the rawest of materials, Trip Shakespeare is an anomoly: A group that
delivers the goods in concert. And without a single sampler. This
is one Trip everyone should take.

-- 
===============================================================================
    David A. Pearlman

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.                     email: dap@vpharm.com