Newspapers / Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.) / Dec. 27, 2008, edition 1 / Page 21
Part of Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Online Exclusive: /\ (A)/;r(TS(///o;; with (he (aisI oI 'IhH Boy' Listen at q-notes.com/qlivtng arts & lifestyle Music wrap-up 2008 Divas and icons were out in force this year by David Stout. Q-Notes staff Well, here we are — another year, another year-end recap. These are the albums I loved or just felt compelled to re-visit that were issued by gay and allied artists in 2008. Madonna - “Hard Candy” (Warner Bros): The Material Mom’s 11th studio album is an interesting combination of the fizzy dance-pop of her 1983 debut and the urban luster of 1994’s “Bedtime Stories.” Unfortunately, it never quite match es the best of either, lacking the coquettish charm of the former and the musical sophistication of the latter. Producers Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams and Nate“Danja” Hills provide Madonna with a stable of propul sive beats that she rides like an Escalade. The drawback with “Hard Candy” is that it lives up to its name: a sweet confection that pleases while it lasts, but melts away leav ing you with nothing to show for the experi ence. Bob Mould - “District Line” (Anti-): The openly-gay virtuoso behind seminal post punk outfit Hiisker Dii as well as ’90s alt-rock band Sugar returned in 2008 with “District Line,” a fab mix of power chords, melodic accessibility and sharp lyricwriting. My favorites among the album’s 10 tracks are “Shelter Me,” a great rock song driven by House music beats and synth stabs, and “Who Needs To Dream,” a man-chases-man power- pop tune with a great hook. Solange - “Sol-Angel And The Hadley St. Dreams” (Geffen): Solange spectacularly emerges from big sis Beyoned’s shadow with this soulful, near-concept album about a young woman coming into her own. The production is old school R8cB laced with modern electronic flourishes by super knob- turners Mark Ronson, The Neptunes and Soulshock 8c Karlin, along with sonic innova tors like Thievery Corporation and Jack Slash (from Plantlife). Matt Alber - “Hide Nothing” (Silver Label/Tommy Boy): Alber, a former mem ber of the Grammy-winning a capella ensem ble Chanticleer, offers up a lovely, dreamlike song cycle about out of the closet love in its various forms and stages. “Field-trip Buddy” recalls that first I. grade school crush while “The End Of The World” is an unflinching look at a crumbling rela tionship. “Hide Nothing” is a gor geous work of art. Little Jackie - “The Stoop” (S-Curve): Little Jackie is not a solo artist but the duo of 30- year-old singer/lyricist Imani Coppola (best known for her minor ’97 solo hit, “Legend Of A Cowgirl”) and DJ/programmer Andy Pallin, who’s still in his early 20s. Their unlikely col laboration yielded this finger-snapping debut that’s chock full of Motown and Stax inspired soundscapes over which Coppola waxes poet ic, witty, bitchy and confessional. If “The Stoop” is any indication, it’s going to be fun watching Little Jackie grow up. Hercules And Love Affair - Self- titled (Mute): Disco and Classic House col lide on this acclaimed debut. Working with a trio of vocalists that includes openly gay Antony Hegarty of Antony and the Johnsons, Hercules’ driving creative force Andrew Butler sculpts 10 outstanding cuts on this genre exer cise that spans from Disco workouts to Frankie Knuckles’-inspired Chicago House jams with multiple stops in between.. The Presets - “Apocalypso” (Modular): The sophomore album from Australia’s The Presets is a molten eruption of 80s inspired Electro and Industrial. Concussive robotic drums, hollowed-out voic> es, bruised harmonies and the energy of com plete abandon propel the 11-track project to the edge of orgiastic chaos. Queer-friendly beatmasters Julian Hamilton (keyboards and- vocals) and Kim Moyes (drums) have created the soundtrack to the sex club in your head. It’s a place where every dark corner is occu pied by a hungry stranger and each propulsive thrust is punctuated by the kickdrum. Cyndi Lauper - “Bring Ya To The Brink” (Epic): Girls just wanna have fun — on the dancefloor. Lauper has enjoyed tremen dous success with her remixed singles the last few years, but this is. the first time she’s ever recorded a full album of dance material. The new direction — from an artist who is known for con stantly trying new things — paid only online Paperboy” (Outsider Music): After co writing and producing three of the best cuts on Cyndi Lauper’s 2008 dance opus (including lead single “Same 01’ Story”), producer/remix er Richard Morel, who is openly gay, turned his attention to completing this two-disc set. “Disc 1 ” is moody and introspective; “ 11 new songs about the things that bring you down,” Morel explains. “Disc 0” (get it, disco?) is eight remixes of disc one tracks. Duffy - “Rockferry” (Mercury): Following the retro path blazed by Amy Winehouse’s “Back To Black,” this 23-year-old Welsh singer-songwriter released her own impressive throwback album in 2008. Listening to “Rockferry” was like discovering lost tunes by Burt Bacharach, Carole King and Ellie Greenwich. Duffy’s singing maintained the illusion with its heavy influences from ’60s soul and the classic girl groups. Album highlights include the swirling-strings title cut, wrenching break-up ode “Warwick Ave.,” and go-go boot scoot “Mercy” Donna Summer - “Crayons” (Burgundy): In 2008 the Dance Music Hall of Fame inductee and five-time Grammy winner (who has sold Catch our great online features and stories: • The Top Films of 2008 • Drag Rag, plus an interview with ‘America’s Got Talent’ contestant Dorae Saunders • EarthTalk - The Small Screen and more! more at q-notes.com! dividends. Lead single “Same 01’ Story” and follow-up track “Into The Nightlife” both reached the top of the Billboard Club Play chart. Morel - “The Death Of The an estimated 130 million records worldwide) came back strong with this eclectic 12-track set. The album, co-written by Summer and a handful of collaborators, produced the dance- see Wrap on 22 Our New Yearns gift to you. Tour great chances to win! Register to win 2 tickets to Durham's RENT or 2 tickets to Chariotte's BAT BOY. enter online at www.q--notes.com/newyears No purchase necessary. Some details apply. Four winners will be chosen, receiving two tickets each for RENT at Durham 'Performing Arts Center or BAT BOY at the Actor's Theatre of Charlotte. See complete details online at q-notes.com/newyears a brought to you by ACTO^ T>€ATRE CHAWOnH' n DPAC www.q-notes.com/qliving • QNotes
Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Dec. 27, 2008, edition 1
21
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75