MANILA, Philippines - The genre-bending DIY post-punk rock trio Gossip bring a new level of lyrical power and musical sophistication to their ever-evolving, always-electrifying sound and sensibility on “Music For Men,” the indie group’s first major label studio album.
According to Gossip guitarist and music creator Brace Paine, the idea of calling the band’s new album “Music For Men” comes straight from Beth Ditto, the Gossip’s iconoclastic lead singer and charismatic front-person. “It’s like a feminist joke,” Brace offers by way of wry explanation.
And while the Gossip incorporate a deft sense of cultural irony into “Music For Men,” there’s nothing confusing about the post-punk trio’s musical approach: direct and visceral, pulsing with a raw and unapologetic animal energy, drummer Hannah Blilie’s propulsive rhythms interlocking with Brace’s heart-pounding riffs and Beth’s aggressive and cathartic vocals.
One of the year’s most highly-anticipated event releases, “Music For Men,” the Gossip’s new musical manifesto, marks the group’s first full-length studio collection since their signature anthem-of-empowerment, Standing In The Way of Control, broke out big in 2006. “Music For Men” is the first new music from the group since the release of its major label debut, Live In Liverpool.
On-board to make sure the Gossip got the studio sound they were looking for was producer Rick Rubin, who the helped the band find its own distinct groove in every track. While Dimestore Diamond lays the escapades of a punk-rock Second Hand Rose across a deep funk bassline and crackling rhythmic static, Men In Love fires up the ultimate dance-floor groove, as sweaty as it is transcendent. Heavy Cross, the album’s first single, finds Beth first cooing, then belting a confrontational challenge to the status quo of a cruel world.
Other new songs on Gossip’s “Music For Men” include 8th Wonder, Love Long Distance, Pop Goes The World, Vertical Rhythm, For Keeps, 2012, Love and Let Love, Four Letter Word, and Spare Me From The Mold.
With “Music For Men,” the Gossip bring together the vital elements of danger, thrills and passion to their sound and vision, partying like it’s 2012.
“Music For Men” is now out on CD under Sony Music.