release date: Jun. 22, 2009
format: cd (2010 reissue)
[album rate 4 / 5] [4,08]
producer: Rick Rubin
label: Sony Records Japan - nationality: USA
Track highlights: 1. "Dimestore Diamond" - 2. "Heavy Cross" (4 / 5) (Live at Jonathan Ross) - 3. "8th Wonder" (5 / 5) (Live in Germany) - 4. "Love Long Distance" (Live at Reading Festival) - 5. "Pop Goes the World" - 6. "Vertical Rhythm" - 7. "Men in Love" (4 / 5) - 9. "2012" - 12. "Spare Me From the Mold"
4th studio album release by this fine American trio, Gossip, released almost 3½ years after Standing in the Way of Control (Jan. 2006). The line-up remains intact with Beth Ditto on vocals, Brace Paine [aka Nathan Howdeshell] on guitar, bass & keyboards, and with Hannah Blilie on drums & percussion. The album was originally released by Columbia as a 12-track standard album - the 2010 Japan issue contains three bonus tracks of which two are remixes of tracks #2 and #4.
Musically they continue their energetic indie rock-approach by embracing dance-punk and now also disco-elements, and at the same time they have now left behind a shallower garage rock-sound, which mostly characterised their first two albums. Rick Rubin is here key-producer in guaranteeing a solid rock sound with strong dance appeal. He's been a bit all over the place in terms of genres and styles since starting out mostly as rap and hip hop-producer in the late 80s but after crossing to the alt. rock scene, he has been near synonymous with flawless productions - he also produced the band's live-album Live in Liverpool (Dec. 2007).
With Gossip you may say it's business as usual in the way that it's energetic and tight alt. rock. The dance-punk element from the 2006 album is further underlined in a more dynamic production and the album simply comes out with a stronger sound than its predecessor. This is just great music for driving or cleaning the house but it needs volume. Beth is one hell of a singer and the music is really addictive. Music for Men is undoubtedly the band's best album, but it's more difficult to point out their second-best album but I can only recommend Standing in the Way of Control (2006) and A Joyful Noise (2012).
The front cover for this album features a photo of the band's drummer, Hannah Blilie.
Highly recommended.
2009 Favourite releases: 1. Kent Röd - 2. Gossip Music for Men - 3. Dolores O'Riordan No Baggage
