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View Full Version : Album club: 10.7.12: Gossip -Music for Men (2009)



Martinh
09-07-2012, 22:52
Hello everyone and welcome to my first AoS album club selection :) - Gossip -Music for Men (2009)

http://static.nme.com/images/gallery/2012Gossip02PR030512.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ez%2Bs1KPiL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Its a bit different to the usual Album Club selection, but I think it's good to broaden one's musical horizons. I hope you like it :)

It's quite full on, so get your dancing trousers on, turn it up and enjoy!

I was introduced to this band by my wife with the hit track 'Heavy Cross'. The sheer energy and passion, together with that driving bassline really caught my ear. A quick trip to Spotify confirmed that they are more than a one hit wonder.

I found myself really enjoying the whole album. There's plenty of variation in the tracks too, plus some hints of other genres in the mix to keep it interesting.

Best of all, I find that I can't get some of the tunes out of my head after playing the CD. For me, thats the difference between a good album and a great album :)

Cheers, Martin

Find it here on Spotify:

http://open.spotify.com/album/0HQQZSfbrsaWBlN7IdwKuD

And some tracks on Youtube:

Heavy cross http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mQVljB7JGw

5mQVljB7JGw

Love long distance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8ah8nKe6FU&feature=channel&list=UL

W8ah8nKe6FU

Move in the right direction http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12zPU-8bsTE&feature=channel&list=UL

12zPU-8bsTE

Here's a little bit about the group:

Gossip (formerly The Gossip) is a three-piece American indie rock band formed in 1999. The band consists of singer Beth Ditto, guitarist Brace Paine and drummer Hannah Blilie.

After releasing several recordings, the band broke through with their 2006 studio album, Standing in the Way of Control (2006). A follow-up, Music for Men, was released in 2009.

The band plays a mix of post punk indie rock and dance-punk. Their latest album, A Joyful Noise, was released in May 2012.

Martinh
11-07-2012, 11:19
Oh dear, how embarrassing :(:(:(

Its awfully lonely in here, but at least I've still got my crap music :lol: :rolleyes:

I'll get my coat...

keiths
11-07-2012, 12:43
Early days yet, Martin.

I'm W-A-Y behind with album club at the moment for various reasons, but will catch up eventually and will vote and comment on your choice once I've listened properly to it.

Tim
11-07-2012, 12:53
Well I'm sat at my desk and just going to put the headphones on to give this a listen ;)

EDIT: Sorry Martin, it took all my will power to get to the end and I had to skip to the close of some tracks, but I did listen to the start of each one and managed the first 3 in total. Nothing here at all that I enjoyed and a lot I didn't enjoy, so I can only muster up 2/10. Its just not the type of music I find entertaining.

John
11-07-2012, 16:33
Good vocialist and tend to like it when its uptempo but do not feel I can really comment as it is not music I would really listen to

Martinh
11-07-2012, 18:17
Thanks for making the effort guys, even if it's not your thing :)

Its not my usual music either but there's something about the beat and rhythms that just sticks in my head :scratch:

Since joining AoS and spotify, I've been listening to all sorts of new things, which is very refreshing for me.

Cheers,

synsei
11-07-2012, 20:35
I first became aware of this band after hearing their excellent single, Standing In The Way Of Control a few years ago.

spotify:track:7anI9BA3qzGFhVBaogZ7xd

After a little Google'ing I discovered that Beth Ditto has a habit of stripping down to her undies (and sometimes even further than that) during live performances, which is very brave of her seeing as she is a rather well built young lady. What cannot be denied is that she throws her all into her performances and they are all the better for it. The band have a solid fan base and The Gossip's gigs are full of energy and skilful musicianship.

My first impressions of Music For Men are that I like it. It is very different to the bands first album and I feel that they have matured somewhat. Gone is the rawness of Standing In The Way Of Control, to be replaced by some very slick song writing and production techniques. Whilst some fans may rue the lack of the 'live vibe' espoused in the first album, Music For Men is different rather than inferior. There is a strong 80's flavour present on this album and I detected influences as diverse as Erasure, Hazel O'Connor and Siouxsie Sioux as I wove my way through its soundscape.

This is not an album I would listen to everyday but it definitely deserves a respin once in a while and I have a feeling that it will grow on me over time, so for that reason I award it 6/10 :)

RichB
13-07-2012, 08:40
Gets an 8 from me. I'll admit I'd previously overlooked this band on the basis of their hit single 'standing in the way of control' perhaps thinking they were more about the haircuts than the music...

Just an old farts reaction to what the fashionable yoof seemed to be digging at the time but this album has forced me to reconsider my position. Beth is clearly a very capable vocalist and I'd imagine their live shows are full of energy and passion for what they do. I've thoroughly enjoyed this album and will certainly give it future spins via spotify. I'll also agree with Dave's comments on the 80s influences Hazel O'Connor and more.

Alex_UK
13-07-2012, 08:59
Sorry Martin - been away with work for a couple of days - I have this album, but not played it for a while so I will give it a proper "Album Club" listen as soon as I can before commenting. :)

Barry
13-07-2012, 09:02
Not my cup of tea at all. I admire their enthusiasm, though I'm not sure I would want to see the vocalist stipped down to her undies!

I'm reminded of the "Not the Nine o' Clock News" sketch - "Nice video, shame about the song". :D

Only 3/10 from me - Sorry.

Martinh
13-07-2012, 10:12
Cheers for giving a a go...

Richard, for some reason, I thought you would like this.


...I'm not sure I would want to see the vocalist stipped down to her undies!


Well, I have to admit that I find her quite sexy :eek: even though its widely reported that she bats for the other side, so to speak.

I'm also relieved that no one has given it a 1/10 (so far), thereby declaring that I'm a Knob :lol:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/24/Beth_Ditto_Love_Mag.jpg/220px-Beth_Ditto_Love_Mag.jpg

Cheers,

Barry
13-07-2012, 17:31
Cheers for giving a a go...

Richard, for some reason, I thought you would like this.



Well, I have to admit that I find her quite sexy :eek: even though its widely reported that she bats for the other side, so to speak.

I'm also relieved that no one has given it a 1/10 (so far), thereby declaring that I'm a Knob :lol:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/24/Beth_Ditto_Love_Mag.jpg/220px-Beth_Ditto_Love_Mag.jpg

Cheers,

Is the drummer female? (S)he seems to have a girls name, though looks as she might be that way inclined as well.

Bazil
13-07-2012, 20:08
Not my thing but I quite enjoyed it, told my daughter about it and she already has the previous album.
I do really like the last track which is a remix of the second, my daughter knew the original and was very impressed by the remix.
Cheers Martin I'll give it 7/10.

Martinh
13-07-2012, 21:25
Is the drummer female? (S)he seems to have a girls name, though looks as she might be that way inclined as well.

Definitely a grrrrl, although I never noticed her before. I thought the band was Beth Ditto and 2 blokes :)


Not my thing but I quite enjoyed it, told my daughter about it and she already has the previous album.
I do really like the last track which is a remix of the second, my daughter knew the original and was very impressed by the remix.
Cheers Martin I'll give it 7/10.

It's a real foot tapper indeed, but for me the stand out track on the CD is Love Long Distance.

I just realised that the youtube video titled 'Move in the right direction' that I've linked to, isn't actually on this album -ooops! Great track and video though.

Cheers,

Welder
14-07-2012, 20:53
I've given what i can find of this lot a whirl and okay is about it for me.
I don't think I would buy anything I've heard so far but I can listen to it without twitching too much.

I really shouldn't worry in the slightest what others may think about your musical taste Martin. ;)

5/10

(hmm, got a few to work through............)

Martinh
14-07-2012, 21:28
I really shouldn't worry in the slightest what others may think about your musical taste Martin. ;)

Thanks John,

It's a bit scary putting up your first album, especially if you're a (relatively) new member :eek:

I wanted to select something that most people didn't already have or had heard, although I did toy with putting DSOTM up instead at the last minute :)

Cheers,

MartinT
15-07-2012, 21:19
It certainly has some merit and a strong beat throughout. A couple of stand-out tracks are very listenable on their own - For Keeps and Heavy Cross. Not really my thing but I've voted according to your scale so 6/10 from me.