FACTS STOP OPINIONS

Welcome to Facts Stop Opinions, the Commentator's re-instituted column for the musically inclined. For those of you familiar with the journalism of my esteemed predecessor David Rappaport, you will soon realize that offering imaginative nuggets of researched, informative, and often convincing artistic insight will remain the focus of the words before you. I wish only that this column continues to serve as one of the crowning jewels of our collegiate newspaper and an asset to the Yeshiva University community at large (or at least those of us who have a shadow of an inclination towards popular culture). Only two things have changed: The author and the title. "Fact Not Opinion" has been replaced with the more suitable name "Facts Stop Opinions," make of it what you will.

Welcome back to school. It is a great time to listen to some good new records. As I type I am enjoying the new Royal Trux release "Veterans of Disorder," highly recommended to those of you who go for that far out grind pop. I am impressed with some of the Matador releases through the summer and right up until now. They have managed to offer up top-notch records in so many different musical barriers/categories. The Arsonists debut "As The World Burns" is as good as anything in the neo gangsta slap-hop category since 36 Chambers. "Terror Twilight," Pavement's summer release isn't their best or worst and may have initially upset some long time indi-enthusiasts. Give it a chance to crawl under your epidermis and into your hemoglobin; I guarantee at least a smile. Belle and Sebastian reissued their debut "Tigermilk" fully remastered and available for the first time on CD as well as LP. If you don't have it yet, and I'm assuming you have everything else they have donated to the world of music, buy it. For more information check out matadorrecs.com.

Welcome to my digression. My sister recently gave birth to twins. When I was back home I met the 'twins specialist' nurse that is currently taking care of the newborns. She is a friendly lady in her mid-fifties and hails from Liverpool, England. Naturally I ask her if she's ever heard of this pop group called the Beatles. Turns out her brother owned 'The Cavern,' the club at which the fab four got their start. She used to go to all their early gigs (and I mean pre-Ringo), and would hang out with them occasionally. Amazing.

Welcome to the UK Korner: I cannot offer any information about this whole British wave going on (Gay Dad, Gomez, Stereophonics, Badly Drawn Boy, Basement Jaxx, or Robbie Williams to name a few) because I haven't been able to follow it closely enough. I am however quite excited about what some of England's old-timers are coming out with. Paul McCartney's new album "Run Devil Run" (Capitol) looks interesting, as does David Bowie's "Hours…" (Virgin). Rykodisc has released an assortment of solo material composed by the late Pete Ham (formerly of Badfinger). He was a tremendously gifted songcrafter and I have no doubt that this collection, titled "Golders Green," will be an impressive one.

Welcome to the find of the column: The American Flag. Debuting as 'Hershel Savage and the American Flag,' this duo from my hometown Toronto Canada released a self-titled masterpiece last year on Bob Pollard's label - Rockathon Records. The album has been remastered and rereleased with a bonus 4-song EP. The eighteen track effort is full of honest to goodness glamdi mystery, with a tip of the hat to the likes of GBV, the Ween brothers, the good McCartney stuff, Alex Chilton, the Kinks, and even some Marc Bolan. The EP's sound is far more refined due to the painstakingly pristine engineering of famed Sloan sound wizard Brenndan McGuire. Each song is a space voyage of its own, nostalgia, humor, fear, and friendship - tracks 1 through 4.

Welcome to trivial trivia. What do the following bands have in common: The Velvet Underground, The Doors, and Them? See my next column for the answer.

Welcome to my promotional opportunity: For those of you who are interested in hearing some of these records and other assorted ear candy please tune in to my weekly radio show every Tuesday at eleven PM. on WYUR. Also, there's all this buzz about some New York based band "Early Sunday Morning." They are scheduled to play Brownies on November 9 starting at eight p.m. See you there.

Until next time, goodbye.