Gossip in control

Originally published by the Saturday Star, 27 October 2007
Gossip
Standing in the Way of Control
3/5
You may have already seen images of Gossip lead vocalist Beth Ditto without having realised that she is the voice behind this punk-rock/funk band. Her overweight, naked body has been splashed across the covers of various music magazines (with her permission of course) in a manner that suggests though you might find this offensive, that’s exactly the intention. This, Gossip’s third full-length release, and their most successful to date, is an angry, vicious, gyrating affront to your senses. Ditto wails, in some instances like a banshee, on various issues relating to her homosexuality and her weight, though she herself suffers no issues with either – except with the fact that others do. Musically the album is quite seventies-rock reminiscent and indulges in a sort-of garage-band sound. Sometimes the vocals are slightly off-key, sometimes the guitars are out of tune, and sometimes the drums are off-tempo – all intentional I presume and key to the delivery of Ditto’s various proclamations. Standing in the Way of Control might not appeal to all tastes, but for the adventurous I can recommend it.