Queer trio The Gossip is known for its live shows, having done the festival circuit abroad this summer. Lead singer Beth Ditto has achieved pop status overseas, once "Standing in the Way of Control" crossed over into the top 10 after its use in a British commercial.
The much anticipated follow-up, Music for Men, is available now with the bonus track "The Breakdown." On the lead single "Heavy Cross," Ditto shows off her soulful pipes. In the video, she is dolled up, recalling fellow full-figured favorites Alyson Moyet and Culture Club back-up singing sensation Helen Terry.
Music for Men also features the catchy but cliché-ridden "Vertical Rhythm," "Dimestore Diamond" and "Love Long Distance." One of the standouts here is the electro-flavored "Four Letter Word." Before heading out for a European tour, The Gossip will be returning to Chicago on Friday, Oct. 16, at The Metro, 3730 N. Clark.
The ever-evolving artist Meshell Ndegeocello made an everlasting impression with her promising 1993 debut, Plantation Lullabies, on Madonna's label Maverick Records. Then, a cover of Van Morrison's "Wild Nights" with John Mellencamp became her biggest hit to date. She continues to do some remakes, as her artistry shines on new takes on "Fantasy" on last year's Earth Wind and Fire tribute compilation Interpretations and "Two Doors Down" from Just Because I'm a Woman: The Songs of Dolly Parton. On Ndegeocello's latest, Devil's Halo, she puts her own seductive spin on Ready for the World's "Love You Down."
The outstanding Devil's Halo has her effortlessly treading forth with soul ( "Hair of the Dog," "Crying in Your Beer" ) and alternative rock ( "Slaughter," "Lola" ) . As a part of the Decibelle Music and Culture Festival, the bisexual bassist will have two concerts Friday, Oct. 16, at The Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln.
As member of LeTigre, JD Samson made a splash in the electro-dance scene. Since then, Samson has become a part of Peaches' touring band, The Herms. Decibelle attendees will be partying well into the night on Friday, Oct. 16, courtesy of Samson's DJ set at Berlin, 954 W. Belmont. For the entire Decibelle line up, please visit www.decibelle.org .
Everybody's favorite Joan Crawford-inspired band has released its debut. The Joans remains far from a being just another novelty act thanks to the group's fun modern take on new-wave rock. The Chicago-based outfit reaches into a well of inspiration with every track relating to the Oscar winning icon. Sure, Crawford has been dead for 22 years, but the entire set keeps her spirit alive. "Mad at the Dirt" recalls the OCD cleaning moment from the film favorite Mommie Dearest. "Joan Crawford Goes to Hell" and "Joan World" could very well be lost B-52s gems from 1982. Bust out those shoulder pads and paint on some thick eyebrows; We Are the Joans is available now on CDBaby.com . The Joans continues its celluloid connection with a concert to celebrate the opening of The Reeling Film Festival on Thursday, Nov. 5, at Architectural Artifacts, 4325 N. Ravenswood.
The buzzworthy British electronic duo La Roux has scored big overseas with the singles "In for the Kill" and "Bulletproof." The pair's self-titled debut is finally out stateside via Cherrytree Records. La Roux possesses an icy '80s synthesizer feel, as if Human League were spinning Touch Dance by The Eurythmics at Soft Cell's Electro Cabaret.
The superb set also contains the single-worthy slower electronic numbers "Cover My Eyes" and "Armour Love." La Roux is slated to perform on Wed., Oct. 21, at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln, after pulling out of this summer's Lollapalooza line-up. Looking for the perfect inclusion for the sequel to Tron's soundtrack? Look no further than La Roux.
With his sophomore effort, The Boy Who Knew Too Much, Mika still apes gay music royalty Elton John, George Michael and, most obviously, Freddie Mercury. At least he does it well.
Throughout, Mika's outing seems to be stuck in the glory days of his high school years, like much of Meat Loaf's catalog. Yes, "We Are Golden" shares the same teenage dreams as Ace of Base's "Lucky of Love." The remarkable "Touches You" is a spastic offspring of Michael's "Father Figure." The set not only hints at a certain big pink elephant in the room, but it closes on a high note with the brassy "Toy Boy" and the drastically different "Pick up off the Floor."
Mika is scheduled to take to the stage on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the Riviera, 4746 N. Racine.
In the race of young talented female singer-songwriters with a retro sound, Nicole Atkins is the dark horse, while Amy Winehouse and Duffy lead the pack. The critically acclaimed American counterpart's 2007 debut Neptune City boasts the influences of Patsy Cline set to rock n roll.
Atkins and her backing band The Black Sea will be at Subterranean, 2011 W. North, on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Atkins' digital covers EP, Digs Other People's Songs, is available now. Here, she adds her epically tragic twist to "Under the Milky Way" and "Dream a Little Dream of Me." Although Columbia Records and Atkins parted ways, the artist from New Jersey still is working on her next album. New material will be performed during her tour.
A remake of Michael Jackson's "Ben" can be heard at nicoleatkinsblog.blogspot.com .
