Beth Ditto, plucky frontwoman of disco-punk trio the Gossip, has been in the headlines lately for feuding with Katy Perry, whom she finds "offensive to gay culture" for pretending to kiss girls and like it. But look! The Gossip's new album, Music for Men, is available to download on iTunes and other online services today. (The physical copy won't be available until October, which still makes no sense.)
Music for Men is significant for two reasons: It's the group's major-label debut, and it was produced by Columbia honcho Rick Rubin to boot. Certainly, Rubin's influence is noticeable, because Music for Men exudes polish at every turn. Something else that's noticeable: Someone pissed off Beth Ditto. The lady's clearly got some relationship angst to get off her chest. Sample lyric: "Love is a four-letter word that should never be heard." Yikes!
After giving the album a once-through, I still can't get over first single "Heavy Cross." We've pom-pommed for the tune in the past,but the frisky floor-banger is just as jubilant as ever on the album.The rest of the set, though, often seems stuck on repeat. "This is thelast time I love and let love," Ditto declares on "Love and Let Love."That's the exact love-gone-wrong sentiment she communicates onseemingly every track, and it quickly wears thin. There are only somany synth/guitar-driven beats that can accompany such whiny lyrics.
Music for Mendoes include a few flashes of variety. Lead-off track "DimestoreDiamond" pulls off its bluesy vibe with swagger and verve. The ode toMarvin Gaye in "Love Long Distance" is a welcome retro surprise, whilethe soaring vocals and grrl-power chorus of "For Keeps" are so good itmakes you forget it's yet another declaration against love.Still, by the time the clouds finally seem to clear for therambunctious punk-rockin' final track, "Spare Me from the Mold," Iwondered if it was too little, too late. Ditto's an outspoken,big-voiced talent — and the band's got spunk in spades — but thealbum's twee-er than a kid in a Dashboard Confessional t-shirt. Whilenot a bad thing, it's nonetheless best enjoyed in two-or-three trackdoses.
Has anyone else heard Music for Men? What do you think?
More from EW's Music Mix:
The Gossip's video for 'Heavy Cross': Yep…the song still rocks
The Gossip's new disco-pop single — song of the summer?
What are your picks for songs of the summer? We've got a few ideas…
YES! I have been listening to the new Gossip album for a couple weeks, and I really love it. Agreed “Heavy Cross” is so fantastic. My other standouts include the great opener “Dimestore Diamond”..also “Love Long Distance”, “Pop Goes The World”, “Men In Love” and “8th Wonder”. It’s a great next step for the band, and I will be curious how it will do in the U.S. vs the U.K.
Looking forward to seeing them next month in Seattle at the Capital Hill Block Party with Sonic Youth!
I’ve just discovered them and …it’s dammmnn good !
Beth Ditto is absolutely fabulous. I hope that her outspoken political views do not jeopardize their chances of mainstream success. I truly believe that they would be huge already if it weren’t for her speaking out for what she believes in.
I have heard the record. “Heavy Cross” is great, but my main problem with the rest is the choruses. They just don’t pay off like they should. their are great groooves and verses – the track builds – then – nothing.
I think some harmonies and melodic elements in th choruses would have helped a lot. It felt like they went halfway pop, which is not a great thing. Either commit to making a pop record or don’t.
maybe they moved it to october so they could work on it some more? just put it out digitally now cause it leaked? that’s my guess.
The album’s more straight disco/pop than previous albums, but it still damn good.
You Music Mix writers are RIDICULOUS. You’ve been toting The Gossip since “Heavy Cross” came out in April and now you review the album as ‘whiny & best in small doses’ !? I can’t tell if one of you writers are friends with Beth Ditto or if you realllllly just can’t get “Heavy Cross” out of your head. Honestly if you hadn’t wrote up a piece on ‘em again in the Must List issue last week I’d have forgotten their album dropped today, but then, you went & wrote up this lil’ piece to remind us for the UPTEENTH time. I’ve taken you writers to task, cause lets be honest, y’all stay in your comfort zones, but then, you get all snobby like in this write-up, & show your same colors as usual. You try to hype THE NEXT BIG THING, but then wind up acting like you’re kinda over it already. MAKE UP YOUR MINDS! How your editors don’t call y’all in the office is beyond me. For the record, I bought the download today, mainly cause it was on $7 since I bought the single back when it dropped.