GOSSIP “A Joyful Noise”
This long awaited release from the Gossip is polished and pop - and that has some people pretty darn mad. Is this a blatant attempt to crash into the gay dance scene, or truly an inevitable evolution? I’m more likely to think the latter. If I erase the past Gossip and just listen to Joyful Noise with clean ears, I wind up having a smile on my face and bopping my head, yes, downright bopping. It’s the voice that sells this collection of shiny happy face music, but wasn’t that what sold the Gossip in the first place?

Best Cut: “Move in the Right Direction”
Location: Around the pool, Palm Springs

JAPANDROIDS “The House That Heaven Built” (Digital 7”)
Proving once again that you don’t need a lot of bodies to make a body of work, Brian and Dave of the Japanoids have created a wall of sound exploiting all that technology can muster, and lo, it is good. After touring through over twenty countries in so many months, this hard rockin’, smash duo have created something of a flash buzz due to their high energy live shows and incredible blatant disregard for the status quo. Get your converse sneakers and geek glasses on and pogo around the room already!

Best Cut: “The House That Heaven Built” Location: The Independent, June 14th

ROYAL THUNDER “Mouth of Fire”
Go back, way back, back to the Haight and the sixties, back to the time of Grace Slick, Led Zeppelin and what we used to call rock. Royal Thunder has been hiding under a rock somewhere for the past thirty years and now appears as a vision of what used to be. But is that so bad? This is a welcome slice of ginger for a pallet too used to sicky sweet. We’ve had “Lez” Zeppelin and AC/DShe cover bands to feed this hunger, until now. Come on in all you hard rocking queers and feast on this!

Best Cut: “Mouth of Fire”
Location: Remember the Nightbreak? Ah, I suppose I’ll have to hang at Thee Parkside.

SCISSOR SISTERS “Magic Hour (Deluxe Version)”
Jake is back with the fourth album release from our favorite gay pop icons. Is it because they are outloud and proud? Or was it the B52 fashions we love more? Rated explicit and well, it really is, I’m sure you will be hearing this (if not already) on every dance floor in town. Is it house, electropop, a George Michael rip off, or just drag queen catwalk music, we can’t be so sure. Take a listen though, even if this album doesn’t last through the end of summer you’ll be singing “Let’s Have a Kiki” in your sleep by the end of pride.

Best Cut: “F***K Yeah”
Location: Castro Dyke March pink party.