European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 17, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Tis the season Holiday gift giving the hintsof�?T92 by the los Angeles times How does Madonna s musical product compare with her literary and film endeavours. Which of those Seattle bands offers the Best grunge for the Buck. Is Garth Brooks latest album As Good As his show. Which rappers Are for kids and which Are for adults Only. Are there some worthy soundtrack albums out there those Are the kinds of questions facing Holiday shoppers. This shopping guide is designed to ease the Burden by offering reviews of America s most popular or critically admired albums listed alphabetically. The ratings Are based on a scale of one Star poor to four stars excellent. The comments Are from los Angeles times music critics. Acc acc live Atco Eastwell. You want. Originality and cutting Edge heavy Metal then ignore this album of 90 and 91 live versions of acc s Best material dating to the 70s. These Are d Privative a but also explosive foot stomping guitar driven rockers. 2 i stars Aladdin original soundtrack various artists Walt Disney. Alan Menken is alternately scoring a musical comedy and an action movie and he acquits himself heroically on both counts. Friend like me and Prince Ati Are show stoppers in the tradition of Gaston in Beauty and the beaut. 3 stars Alice in chains dirt Columbia. Alice in chains is a Triumph of marketing an Ordinary commercial hard Rock band tricked out As one of those grungy Seattle units that Are making noise right now but without that Pesky anarchist Edge. A bore 2 stars arrested development 3 years 5 months and 2 Days in the life . This Georgia rap sextet supports its positive commentaries with Bright and imaginative musical signatures. The Wistful spiritually tinged Tennessee is one of the year s most captivating singles. 4 stars Michael Bolton timeless the classics Columbia. It s Brave of Bolton to barrel ahead not caring whether it s culturally Correct to record these soul classics he disgraces neither himself nor the material he chooses on this album. 2yi stars Bon Jovi keep the Faith Mercury. The Jersey group casts about aimlessly never coming close to finding a distinctive sound or personality. Still a band of huge Oft repeated Hooks and songwriting that lacks inventiveness and depth. Ivi stars Garth Brooks the Chase Liberty. Brooks most consistent and fully satisfying album. He still has a Blind spot for Leaden Story songs but he expresses tenderness with remarkable conviction and he continues to touch on provocative issues. V/2 stars Bobby Brown Bobby Mca. It goes Down. Smooth enough but there s hardly a track Here that we won t be hard pressed to recall a decade from now. For All his sex you up Braggadocio Brown comes off As a supremely confident cipher whose woo woo conviction is All momentary. 2v2 stars Eric Clapton unplugged reprise. This acoustic quickie from an mtg appearance centers on the maudlin but moving tears in heaven and the seductive recasting of Layla but seven crackling old blues numbers make the most of the intimate setting and make it Clapton s most passionate collection in years. 2v2 stars Dalench mob guerillas in tha Mist Street knowledge. The debut album by this . Gangsta rap Trio is Superior to nearly everything in the genre. There s some Gutter Lingo directed at women and Gays but on the plus Side Are snarling raps Sharp humor canny observations and fast Funky beats. 3 i stars in Vogue Funky divas East West America. Groomed to offer a 90s slant to the supreme Classy crossover image in Vogue also lifts ideas from James Brown and aretha Franklin to create a sharper More Street Wise package. 3 stars Peter Gabriel us Geffen. Though most of his musical tricks no longer come As a Surprise in these tales about couples and his own failed relationships you have to Marvel at How seamlessly he integrates the world beat players into his ethereal Post Art Rock sound. V/2 stars Vince Gill i still believe in you Mca. After some a involving vocal calisthenic Gili sinks his Teeth into a six song stretch in which the cargo is More worthy of the Carrier. His beautifully sculpted vocals make the occasional trite phrase sound better than it reads. 3 stars ice cube the predator priority. The key selections make it essential listening but the most powerful rap voice in the Hood has t taken advantage of the Opportunity to speak to the non rap fans who May turn to the album in a genuine attempt to understand the angry Young Black viewpoint. 3 stars Elton John the one Mca. This May be the most insightful and Alert to its times album that John and lyricist Bernie Taupin have Ever done. In these vignettes of people in turmoil John is a soulful sumptuously melodic voice of Comfort and encouragement. 3 stars Wynonna Judd Wynonna curb Mca. In her first flight out of the judds nest a a something for everyone collection with material of wildly uneven Quality a Wynonna seems intimidated by her potential vocal Power and she restrains her expressiveness As if she s afraid to let it soar. 2v2 stars Kris Kross totally crossed out Columbia. Unlike other kiddie groups this pair of Street Wise pubescent rappers has a hard Edge coming across almost As naughty As naughty by nature and spun Kier and funkier than another bad creation. 3 i stars Madonna erotica Maverick Warner Bros. The Crown Dominatrix of pop has taken the Bratty Persona flayed across the screen in truth or dare and put it on record spending less time begging to be loved and More just dishing dissing and making dirty jokes dancing All the distasteful while. 2 stars mud Honey piece of cake reprise. Mixes lots of enticing Rock tradition in its 90s grunge Rock assault. The result is a More accessible and Good natured sound than is found in Many of its fellow Seattle bands. No nirvana but More than Pearl Jam. 3 stars r.e.m., automatic for the people Warner Bros. Delves further into rusticated chamber music. It s like an arty version of deep Mountain Folk music a lonely and ancient tapping straight into the mysteries of the human spirit with intelligence and Subtle passion. 3 i stars Sade love deluxe epic. Sade s supercool detached vocals Haven t changed but some of the material Here sounds like a bad imitation of Enya s new age mood music. A few tunes make for Good romantic background music. 2 stars. George Strait pure country original soundtrack Mca. The music Here is As clean and stubble free As Ever. Strait fans Lap up every note perfect lick but some might prefer country music that s a Little less pure and a lot More real. 2 stars Trisha Yearwood hearts in Armor Mca. The album Wynonna Judd should have made a a collection that digs deeply into the Rich character of country music without ending up a prisoner of it. Yearwood employs head and heart in one of the most absorbing country albums of the Garth Era. 3 i stars Neil Young Harvest Moon reprise. Reunited with musicians and acoustic textures showcased 20 years ago in his celebrated Harvest album Young delivers one of the warmest and most personal recordings of his career. 4 stars 70 stripes Magazine december 17, 1992