CD - Jay Brannan - Goddamned

Reviews, By gnosis, 14th October, 2008

I was first introduced to Jay Brannan’s musical talent in John Cameron Mitchell’s sexual revolution film Shortbus. Jay played Ceth, a boy the Jamies meet at the Shortbus salon before bringing him home. Jay sang his cute pop tune Soda Shop before the infamous threesome scene where the trio, mid-coitus, burst into a very creative interpretation of Star Spangled Banner.

Since then I’ve been following his career on his YouTube channel and via Facebook and his blog. I’m struck by how down to earth he seems. His videos wouldn’t be out of place with most of the gay boys you will find on YouTube. This became most apparent when he put up a performance of Soda Shop he’d filmed on the toilet.

Jay has been described as the male Lisa Loeb or Ani Difranco and the comparisions are fairly clear when you listen to Goddamned. Goddamned is Jay’s first full album released on his own independent label Great Depression.

His music is subdued and soulful at times and his songs play like entries for a journal that Jay has unleashed upon the world – this is Jay, without any apologies. His songs are touching, humorous and at times religiously inflammatory. But that’s why we love him.

Can’t Have It All sets the tone for the album—it’s one for the single boys out there. He sings through the torment of a regular day wondering when that boy will call and wonders what he should be doing with his life.

Half-Boyfriend visits a tormenting situation oh so many of us have been in – being ‘the other guy’ in a relationship. But he still manages makes light of it somehow referring to the half-boyfriend as a ‘tease’ a ‘cock-blocker’ and a ‘loudmouth bitch’.

One of the other standout tracks was Housewife – the story of Jay’s perfect relationship, and his dreams of being the housewife and ultimately that it is all just a fantasy. The title track Goddamned – Jay’s aimed squarely at the religious persecution he feels because of his sexuality. Neither Mary, Zeus or Mohammed are safe from an angry Jay who says the stories are “bullshit” and taunts them to continue throwing stones and pray for reward.

Just when I feel like giving Jay a big hug and telling him it will all be okay, the song Bow-legged & Starving shows Jay’s lighter side and a more care-free side of Jay. He values his freedom and is uplifted by the knowledge that he doesn’t need a boy to be happy.

I’ve been following Jay’s world tour and can’t wait for his upcoming show in Sydney this month. Jay runs most of this tour off his own back given he runs his own label, so I hope that his visit is a big success for him.

Jay Brannan – Goddamned is available now through iTunes. Click here for more information.

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