gossip – music for men

The Indie-Pop band from Portland, Oregan USA has released their 4th studio album. “Music For Men” (Columbia/Sony, 2009) was co-produced by Rick Rubin, who has also produced the comebacks of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Johnny Cash as well as the Beastie Boys. Therefore success might be preprogrammed. What I reckon, the tattered music company is desperately looking for new faces and voices to get the business off the mod. Beth Ditto is one of those personalities, who may fit in that profile. Her appearance is just as massive as her voice is. You could think Gossip grew up in the middle of Europe like UK or Sweden because of the similar music style. That’s why they are more popular and successful in Europe, not in US, where the college punk is everywhere. The garage band is influenced by the post punk of the lesbian riots at the end of the 90′s. Unlikely, the 3 Americans were used to lead those riots. However, they achieved their mainstream break trough by the single “Standing In The Way Of Control“ (Kill Rock Stars, Lado 2005). Afterwards Beth Ditto used her new status to play and provoke with media. She strips on stages or is covered on magazines half naked. This extraordinary view you might get used to first due to her body index which is close to the one of Bud Spencer. If you analyse her music, though, the band is the best garage, indie-pop, post-punk band currently. “Heavy Cross” is incredible and already in my ears. A shame that the album is a bit too fancy and romantic and confirms the new status of the band, profit based pop music. Whatever, Beth Ditto works more and more on her approach to step on the Madonna level. She will do so with music like “Music For Men“.

tribute

Michael Joseph Jackson (* August 29th, 1958 in Gary, Indiana – † Juni 25th, 2009 in Los Angeles, California) was a US American singer, songwriter and entertainer. Commercially, he was one of the most successful musicians in history and sold approximatelly 750 million records. The Album Thriller produced in 1982 with more then 100 Million copies is listed as the best-selling studio album of all time. His influences on the music nowadays is immeasurable. I am honestly proud to have seen him live on his HiStory tour in Berlin 1996. For me he always was the coolest guy on stage. In his honour I want to provide you with his best songs fom my point of view, which have attended my life.

Between all the gossip, which was reported during the last days I want to quote one sentence by British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband. He said to the being of Michael Jackson: “No one else felt so deep but no one else flew so high, though.”

Never forget!

1 – The Way You Make Me Feel – Bad 1987, Epic Records

2 – I Want You Back (Jackson 5) – The Jackson 5 1969, Motown

3 – Bad – Bad 1987, Epic Records

4 – Thriller – Thriller 1982, Epic Records

5 - Beat It – Thriller 1982, Epic Records

6 – Billy Jean – Thriller 1982, Epic Records

7 – Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough – Off the Wall 1979, Epic Records

8 – They Don’t Care About Us – HiStory 1995, Sony Records

9 – Black or White – Dangerous 1991, Epic Records

10 – Smooth Criminal – Bad 1987, Epic Records

Schdeffen’s favourite 15 records

15 – Johnny Cash – The Best of Johnny Cash

source: ssl.deutschrock.de

Release: 1988

Label: CoL (Sony Music)

The combination of the incredible voice and the gitarre is amazing. The album includes a couple of his best songs. Blues for the heart from a broken soul.

Favourite Track: Folsom Prison Blues

14 – The Prodigy – Music for the Jilted Generation

source: bp.blogspot.com

Release: 1994

Label: XL Recordings

The Prodigy was the most fucked-up, drug influenced and weirdest techno band in the 90′s. They had been the first Big Beat Bands and invented this, what is known as electro today. I like their 2nd album because the others are crap.

Favourite Track: No Good

13 – The Streets – Original Pirate Material

source: images.uulyrics.com

Release: 2002

Label: Wea Int. (Warner)

The Streets is a project of the singer and songwriter Mike Skinner. Grown up in Birmingham he developed an own view of the society and makes music from the street. Original british Hip Hop with critical notes. A must have for fans of the english way and british accent.

Favourite Track: Don’t Mug Yourself