#26: Gossip – Music For Men
Much has been made of Beth Ditto’s dominance of The Gossip, her media presence dwarfing that of the other members. Fact is, it’s with very good reason. Her voice is one of the decade’s most distinctive; a cross between Dolly Parton’s country warble and Tina Turner. Married to lyrics that blur so many boundaries it may as well be Kashmir and barnstorming disco backing and it’s a tremendously potent weapon. Music For Men followed the band’s huge success of Standing In The Way Of Control (album, but single in particular) and much was expected of it. A lot of what it contains borrows from the same base materials, the exception seemingly a much wider canvas for Ditto to paint her tales of lust and lust all over. What separates this new record from the last is the changes of pace in the music; but also an increased subtlety in the voice – less clarion call and more siren song, but with enough kink to keep things interesting. An excellent step forward for an ever-improving band.
Photo: Mic Wernej @ Koko, London, 11/06
