Sound: Basic-guitar-and-drums, bluesy punk driven by one of the most exceptional voices in indie-rock history - Beth Ditto’s soulful screams give her lungs a thorough workout, but she rests and shows her range with calmer, intimate moments, too.
Heavy Rotation track: “Fire With Fire”
Medium Rotation tracks: “Standing In the Way of Control“; “Jealous Girls“; “Yr Mangled Heart“; “Listen Up!”
Recommended: Though some of the raw, lo-fi energy of their previous work has been smoothed out and made slightly more produced and danceable, one constant holds true for the Gossip – their sound is often better than their songwriting. You’ll always marvel at Beth’s impressive pipes and the solid grooves, but from time to time you’ll notice that the style is stronger than the substance. The Gossip is best experienced in carefully chosen doses.
Grade: B+

(As posted 2/27/06 on davepowersmusic.com)
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