1573
(1 vote, average 5.00 out of 5)
Written by Gregg Shapiro
Sep 22, 2010
R.E.M. – Photo: Courtesy
R.E.M.
Although he didn’t officially come out until 2001, anyone with functioning gaydar picked up on the fact that Michael Stipe of R.E.M. was one of us. Though there was nothing overtly gay in R.E.M.’s lyrics (if you could decipher what Stipe was saying on those first few discs), they had an otherworldly quality - sort of a galactic gothic, if you will. This is particularly true of the attractively packaged expanded double-disc reissue of 1985’s “Fables of The Reconstruction.” The set, which includes the CD booklet, a large poster and photo cards of the band, twanged a bit more than its predecessors on songs such as “Maps and Legends,” “Green Grow The Rushes” and “Wendell Gee.” The second disc features 14 of “The Athens Demos.”
The Shondes
What Michael Stipe (and the Indigo Girls and the B52’s) did for queer Southern musical identity, The Shondes are doing for Klezmer punk with a queer Park Slope accent. “My Dear One” (Fanatic), the quartet’s second full-length disc, finds the foursome fiddling around (courtesy of Elija Oberman) with a minor key mood on a majority of the tunes, without forsaking the value of dancing. This is most evident on the tracks “Get Out,” “The Coming Night” and “Make It Beautiful.” A hora for your aura, perhaps?
Semi Precious Weapons
Close associates of Lady Gaga (she played drums for them at Lollapalooza 2010), Semi Precious Weapons work the glam/gender-fuck end of the spectrum. Lead vocalist Justin Tranter transformed himself from singer/songwriter suburban kid-in-the-city to in-your-face rock god(dess) with the formation of SPW. On their sophomore album “You Love You” (Geffen/Streamline/Cherry Tree), Tranter and company revisit a few songs from their overlooked 2008 Razor and Tie debut “We Love You,” including the worthy “Magnetic Baby.” Lovable new numbers include “Leave Your Pretty To Me” and “Statues of Ourselves.”
Ozomatli
Rock en Español band Ozomatli expands its horizons on “Fire Away” (Mercer Street). On the song “Gay Vatos In Love,” Ozomatli addresses the group’s gay hermanos with respect and affection. Add the irresistible dance jams “Elysian Persuasion” and “Nadas Por Free,” and Ozomatli might tap into a new and appreciative fan-base.
Antony and the Johnsons
With the exception of the overly indulgent opening track, “Swanlight” (Secretly Canadian) by Antony and the Johnsons is one of the acclaimed band’s most accessible efforts. From the sweet acoustic folk of “The Great White Ocean” and the haunting piano-driven pop of “Ghost” to the deconstructed soul of “I’m In Love” and the gratitude anthem “Thank You For Your Love” (did you hear that brass?), “Swanlight” is a radiant and soaring album. Even more experimental fare, such as the Björk duet “Flétta,” is less distracting than it could have been. Antony and the Johnsons’ fans are also encouraged to check out Baby Dee’s “A Book of Songs for Anne Marie” (Drag City).
Lovers
If you didn’t think it was possible for Portland’s Lovers to maintain the momentum of their acclaimed 2008 “I Am The West” disc, then you were wrong. “Dark Light” (Badman) amps up the electro elements without sacrificing the band’s uniquely personal perspective. An instantly enjoyable album, “Dark Light” highlights include unshakable opener “Barnacle,” the punch of “Boxer,” the acoustic approach of “Shepherd of the Stray Hearts” and the rewarding beats of “To Be A Dancer (I Am Alive).”
Also look for …
But wait, there’s more! With LGBT History Month just around the corner, there are plenty more discs by queer bands to make your observance complete, including “Let Loose The Horses” (Universal Republic) by The Rescues (featuring out vocalist Adrianne), the self-titled disc by the country-oriented Evangenitals (evangenitals.com), the four-song EP “Salt” by The Locals (localsrock.com), the five-song EP “Rock Face” by Derek and the Darling (derekandthedarling.com), Hunter Valentine’s “Lessons From the Late Night” (Tommy Boy) and “Indians and Clowns” (Buckin Savior) by Miriams Well (who are also from Portland).
