SameSame.com.au ~ Inside Out Australia

CD - Music for Men - Gossip

Reviews, By fabrik_maddie, 10th July, 2009

The divisive Beth Ditto and members of the Gossip are back with their own personal take on riot grrrl rock, disco, punk, soul and everything inbetween. As always, the beat is voracious, the riffs slick and fast, and Ditto’s emotional vocal climaxes spine tingling. A few things have changed in the last three years though. This is the Gossip’s major record label debut, for one, and it also happens that the album was produced by Rick Reuben, known for his work with class acts such as Metallica and Johnny Cash.

Under the guidance of Reuben, the previously unbridled and raucous Ditto has tamed her vocal prowess somewhat. Ditto has noted in interviews that this was an intentional effort, along with her decision to take an extended period of time to work on and explore her lyrics prior to recording. This was a first for the girl whose vocal stylings originated in a Baptist choir in Arkansas.

The album kicks off with Dimestore Diamond. The slick production and disco beat in this track hint that the disco/dance/electro subplot in this album is definitely honing in and taking centre stage. Although, maybe this was always the grand plan from the start? “We started a band ‘cause we were bored. Our mission is to make you dance, and if you’re not gonna dance, just stay at home and listen to the oldies station.”

With any major record label debut an artist risks distancing themselves from their original fan base, and one can’t help but wonder, if punk kids deigned to danced, would they dance to music like this? I’d argue that they’ll find it hard not to.

The first single, Heavy Cross, is in close reference to the band’s famous show stopper and anthem for gay rights, Standing in the Way of Control. While not an entirely adventurous excursion, the song, with its polished disco beat and soulful mood, embraces Ditto’s versatile voice with powerful results.

As the title and cover may suggest, this isn’t an overtly political album lyrically, but an uplifting, empowering and surprisingly positive undercurrent remains. Ditto, who has always been outspoken about LGBT rights, claims they named the album humorously, that it was Music for Men coming from feminists who wanted to be listened to.

It’s songs like Love Long Distance that are a far cry from punk-underground, and sound much more like a 70s soul disco number. It is all intentional, though. You can listen closely for a Marvin Gaye reference, “I heard it through the baseline, not much longer you will be mine baby”. Also, at the start of Love and Let Love, listen out for lyrics that sound awfully like “how can you push it” in ode to the 80s hit.

There is still some rock in here with 8th Wonder, and those craving some rampant, riot grrrl action hold out for the last track, Spare Me From the Mold. They are still the Gossip, a band who preferred to be classified ‘underground’ instead of ‘indie’, due to its record label and commercial connotations.

Whether this album will alienate Ditto and the Gossip’s punk following will remain to be seen. What is certain, is that this is an immensely emotionally, expressive fusion of punk, disco, and soul that is likely to see the Gossip acquire an even larger cross-over mainstream audience.

The album remains contagious in its energy levels and it is hard to imagine listeners immune to its invigorating effect. I imagine listeners will find themselves succumbing to an overwhelming desire to turn up their car stereo full blast so they can sing along at the top of their lungs to Ditto’s often explosive melodic crescendos.

Gossip, Music for Men is out now through Sony Music.

Listen to the entire album on Same Same right here.

Read Same Same’s interview with the Gossip here.

Watch the Gossip’s Heavy Cross here: