Being the inclusive and generous site that we are, we thought we’d clue
you in on some of our summer picks as well-particularly those from
artists whom are actually gay, proving that it is indeed possible to be
a fag and not have to fulfill a total clichè. We give you…
Deerhunter
The Atlanta-based band, fronted by the brilliant Bradford Cox, made a splash in the past two years with their droney-yet-punk aesthetic, helping to revive the shoegaze genre in America with their album Cryptograms (2006) and last year’s Fluorescent Grey EP. Cox has become a new controversial figure in rock music (his antics, including wearing dresses on stage, led to his band being thrown off of the Smashing Pumpkins tour last year, and he was absurdly demonized in the indie press for posting what was mistaken as child pornography on his blog one time). All of the drama aside, Deerhunter-along Cox’s side project, Atlas Sound-remains one of the most exciting creative forces in music, and the forthcoming Microcastle album drops later this Fall.
Recommended Track: “Never Stops”
http://www.myspace.com/deerhunter
SSION
This ongoing collaborative music project by Kansas City-artist Cody Critcheloe is constantly accepting resumes for new members. Known for his off-the-wall aesthetic, disco-beat weirdo anthems, and technicolor video art, Ssion’s music is finally getting the attention it deserves in the music press. With a single called “Street Jizz,” Ssion is already being hailed as a new cult figure in the music world. His most recent album, Fool’s Gold is available from the artist himself on his very own print, Sleazetone Records. We highly recommend subjecting yourself to the Ssion revolution.
Recommended Track: “Clown”
http://www.ssion.com
Hercules and Love Affair
Mixing styles of Chicago house, uptempo gay disco, and classical imagery from ancient Greece, Andy Butler is a new major force in dance music. His band’s first single, “Blind” featuring the lilting guest vocals of Antony Heagerty (of Antony and the Johnsons) has been making fags dance across the U.S.A. for the past couple of months. Decidedly evocative of the past but interpreted in a way that is totally unique, Hercules earned comparisons from Pitchfork to Gamble & Huff, Anthony Russell, and Sylvester (damn!) while their noir sensibility has them hailed as the biggest breakthrough since The Knife. Well take this over your Timbaland retreads anyday.
Recommended Track: “You Belong”
http://www.myspace.com/herculesandloveaffair
GRIZZLY BEAR
Don’t be fooled by the name, there are actually no fat cuddly bears in this Brooklyn four piece, whose last album Yellow House became one of our favorite albums of 2006. Last year’s Friend EP featured collaborations and covers by bands such as CSS, Atlas Sound (above) and Band of Horses, along with a bunch of unreleased material proving that even their B-sides and rarities are better than most of the shitty music we hear. Started by the tall and handsome gay Ed Droste, Grizzly Bear’s music is harmonic, haunting, beautiful, and (unfortunately for them) easily downloadable. Give these studs what they deserve and throw some dollars at them!
Recommended Track: “While You Wait For The Others”
http://www.grizzly-bear.net
The Magnetic Fields
We know everyone’s familiar with the Magnetic Fields (that is, we HOPE) and their inclusion on this list should strike you as a bit obvious, but their latest album Distortion shows that Stephin Merritt and company have yet to run out of tricks. Taking a page out of the Jesus and Mary Chain book of guitar feedback, the Fields have made the ultimate summer record to get stoned by, and perhaps our favorite album of the year so far.
Recommended Track: “Too Drunk To Dream”
http://www.myspace.com/themagneticfields
JEPPE
One half of the Danish pop duo Junior Senior (as Senior), Jeppe has decided to go it alone and make it as a big gay pop star. Whether you recognize him from his former hitmaking group or the pages of BUTT Magazine, you’ll feel at home when you crank his first single, a cover of the Fine Young Cannibals’ “Johnny Come Home”. One part Pet Shop Boys, two parts Depeche Mode, and wholly European, Jeppe’s sound might bring back the oft-attempted, rarely achieved synth pop/ ’80s industrial genre that we all grew up on and have sorely been missing.
Recommended Track: “Johnny Come Home”
http://www.myspace.com/jeppe
Now that we’ve gotten this over with we can get back to making fun of porn stars and being generally sarcastic.
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