REVIEW : Music For Men

We must admit to belatedly falling for the charms of Gossip, with their previous albums virtually passing us by (aside from a couple of delicious remixes from 'Standing In The Way Of Control').
But we’re happy to jump aboard the Gossip juggernaut as it continues to power forward with the release of the band’s fourth album ‘Music For Men’.
Album opener ‘Dimestore Diamond’ possesses a timeless almost pub rock sound, with the instrumentation stripped right back to the bare necessities – licks of guitar and a steady drum beat allowing Beth’s voice to do it’s stuff.
First single ‘Heavy Cross’ follows, blending Blondie-esque instrumentation with pop and disco sensibilities.
‘8th Wonder’ cranks it up another notch, introducing big rock-chick vocals that sing of a person who remains blissfully untouched by the emotional evils of the modern world, while ‘Love Long Distance’ shuffles it’s way back towards the dancefloor with a great pop melody, a nod towards Marvin Gaye’s classic ‘Heard It Through The Grapevine’ and lyrically, the breakdown of a relationship.
As the album’s fifth track, ‘Pop Goes The World’ begins, one could be forgiven for thinking we’re off to the Copacabana, but no – just four bars of a very familiar percussive beat before the synths appear. It’s chorus is power-pop at it’s best – and is no doubt a shoo-in for a remixer’s touch and future single consideration.
If the sexuality of the band’s lead singer doesn’t have the Christian fundamentalists up in arms, ‘Men In Love’ certainly will with it’s message of man with man love.
Beth introduces the Tori Amos-esque intimate side to her voice during the verses of ‘For Keeps’, before turning up the power to around 80% in the choruses.
The one shining light throughout the whole ‘Music For Men’ journey is Beth Ditto’s incredible voice, which never flounders in sounding powerful and self-assured. She has an almost Pat Benatar quality to her voice, while Hannah & Brace provide a deliciously familiar and entirely listenable soundtrack that transcends the borders of both pop and rock. ‘Music For Men’ would truly kick live.
A most sound album, offering (for the most part) simple, stripped back instrumentation that allows the lyrics, melody and that voice to take centre stage.
Now go! Do as we have and catch up on the latest Gossip. You won’t be disappointed.