The Gossip

The Gossip: Standing in the Way of ControlStanding in the Way of Control (2006)
Kill Rock Stars

Reviewer Rating: 4

User Rating:

Contributed by: adamAdam
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on February 17th 2006After three or so years out in the wilderness the Gossip re-emerge with new drummer Hannah Blilie and one of the first great records of 2006. Standing in the Way of Control does a wonderful thing in bridging the gap between danceable indie rock, the crunch of a great garage band and genuinely soulfu.

After three or so years out in the wilderness the Gossip re-emerge with new drummer Hannah Blilie and one of the first great records of 2006. Standing in the Way of Control does a wonderful thing in bridging the gap between danceable indie rock, the crunch of a great garage band and genuinely soulful blues. If the nouveau Death Disco acts proved anything, it's that the indie world's post-millennial admission that it's OK to dance comes packaged with some fairly superficial music. This record sports a few choice tunes that are every bit as propulsive as the bands of that ilk, yet it manages to completely sidestep the whole pseudo-ironic hipster scene.

The Gossip, much like the BellRays, plunge into aggressive, rock-minded yet Motown-inspired R&B with a strong female lead. Only while the BellRays rely on Lisa Kekaula's raw throated moments of Black Flag aggression, the Gossip play it much more restrained and cool. That's not to say that Beth Ditto can't wail with the best of them, as the title track shows, but there's an appreciation of dynamics here and for every screamed syllable there's a cool groove right around the corner. The Gossip should give lessons in sequencing, as the record makes the perfect mix of contrasting styles. There's a huge change of gears between the `80s throwback "Jealous Girls" and the smoky, brooding "Coal to Diamonds," but it's so effective. You'll completely melt for the vocals on the latter, but a couple songs later and you're dancing again to "Yr Mangled Heart."

There's a lot of space on this record, the result of the band's footing in blues and soul. Guy Picciotto's production wisely keeps things from getting too dense or over orchestrated, and with the exception of the few centerpiece pop songs this has the feel of some great uncovered oldie. That further distinguishes the Gossip from their contemporaries, and will likely fare them well when it comes to longevity. Just sit back and listen to Ditto whisper her way though "Dark Lines," evoking some sultry film noir lounge singer. It's brief but it's timeless, and there aren't many acts can come close to that.

Within the confines of a 10-song track list Standing in the Way of Control manages to spiral off in several directions. It's the band's triumph that they not only hold it together, but make it seem effortless.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

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wentz_equals_death (March 24, 2008)

you guys all missed the point, which is that the album cover is fucking stupid no matter what the people look like. if the new D4 album had the guys posing like that... well... actually, that would be awesome

randomD (October 3, 2007)

the idiocy of the majority of these comments crack me up, bring back someone!

Inspection12e (March 20, 2006)

I like how me calling someone fat turned into a conversation about how women are discriminated in indie rock. You guys keep fighting the good fight.

I like the evolution of the scene. First you were punk and you resisted the government then you turned 15 and you were indie and now you stand up for women in rock music.

Inspection12e (March 20, 2006)

Paddy from D4 is fat as hell. Woopie?

Anonymous (March 1, 2006)

if the first thing you think about when listening to a record is how the band looks, then you're just missing out. go spend your money one something else. you're not worth anyone's time. secondly, i like this trend of people who claim to be all "indie" or whatever, and still have these fucked up ideas about what people are/aren't supposed to look like. i'm not going to validate you, because you're not worth anyone's time. this is a really good record, by a really good band. this is three people, vocals, drums, and guitar, that have a fuller sound than alot of the other "bands" some of you douchebags listen to. go eat a fucking pie, and shove it. no one cares what you have to say you small-minded fuck.

elliot (February 23, 2006)

not saying no one likes women musicians. i'm saying that people are much more quick to judge a band with girls in them.

does anyone ever make disparaging remarks about paddy from D4's weight? nope.

does anyone make disparaging comments about beth from the gossip or the bass player for the donnas' weight? yep.

Anonymous (February 23, 2006)

keep telling yourself they do. live the lie

talented women in rock make a name for themselves just like anyone else. the others dont....hell even some of the shitty bands make a name for themselves, the donnas? go betty go? horrible music, and the lesser of the two has even a decent following

elliot (February 23, 2006)

you don't think that women have to work extra hard to prove themselves in music? especially in punk rock??

great. keep telling yourself that.

Anonymous (February 22, 2006)

yes, "your"

Anonymous (February 22, 2006)

hold her back because shes a woman? your a fuckng idiot

elliot (February 22, 2006)

listening to this right now, and it blows any of those fake-ass disco bands of today out of the fucking water.

and beth is hot. you guys can try to hold her back because she's a woman, and because she's large, so have all the fun you want. she's hot, and she rocks way hard.

Inspection12e (February 20, 2006)

It's what we like to call a double standard. If it was in fact a guy being called fat Will would have never even tried to defend him. In fact Will would have probably laughed. I have seen some users on this site who aren't quite skinny called fat on here. Noone came to their defense. Who's really the shallow one here?

stevejonestherealbones (February 20, 2006)

* being made fun of for how he looks.

there does seem to be a small outcry about ma month after the review was put up saying that the music actually is good.

- j the b

- email addy

stevejonestherealbones (February 20, 2006)

will,

do you honestly think there wouldnt be fat jokes if it was a dude on the cover in a tank top? honestly?

also, where were all you high and mighty fuckers who dont make fun of anyone, and stand up for justice when the rocket summer got reviewed?

http://punknews.org/reviews.php?op=albumreview&id=40 88

its like the soulmate of a fat chick, a skinny dorky dude, and there was hardly an outcry for him being made fun of

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Inspection12e (February 20, 2006)

Oh and if it was a guy and the same comment preceded mine I still would have called him fat. Male or female, fat is fat.

Inspection12e (February 20, 2006)

It's always the pot calling the kettle black on this site. I'm sure you have called people fat or even worse ugly. I never once claimed that she was ugly or something worse because she was fat. So I fail to see how this makes me shallow and insecure. Yea maybe I shouldn't have said it but I did.

garbage (February 20, 2006)

very good record indeed. will pull all you emo kids right in.

Anonymous (February 20, 2006)

Also, I feel the need to ask where the singer for this band posted telling you to stop... All I see is other people (include myself) calling you out for being a shallow asshole for basically no reason.

And don't come at me with the "everyone who doesn't meaninglessly hate fat people like me must be fat" thing, because I am skinnier and scrawnier probably than yourself.

Anyway, this is ridiculous. Were the guy on the cover male, this message board would be about why everyone likes this album (or maybe doesn't like). It's ridiculous that something that's supposed to be progressive like punk (and please don't give me that "punk never meant anything! it's just about being snotty and listening to music!" bullshit, because we all know that Punkrock has definitely evolved since 77) is still plagued with such commonplace, dullwitted, backwards thinking.

-Will

Inspection12e (February 20, 2006)

Are you talking to me Will?

Anonymous (February 20, 2006)

Just how you were daring enough to sign all of your posts so that we all know who the insecure guy is.

-Will

Inspection12e (February 20, 2006)

Also if you put yourself on the front of your album cover I feel that you should be ready to be criticized because it's going to happen.

Inspection12e (February 20, 2006)

No they aren't. This band sucks.

Anonymous (February 20, 2006)

But seriously, everyone who's hung up on appearances are missing a great album. Go to insound.com and listen to the title track--its amazing.

--Cos

Anonymous (February 19, 2006)

"It's not my fault the girl has a weight problem"

she has weight, i dont think she ever said she had a problem with it.

If you want problems, look at the emorexia problem. That shit will fuck your fried snickers eating up.

wyzo

Anonymous (February 18, 2006)

"for a while i thought they were trying to sell the band by saying 'hey look, she has huge cans'.

rather than, "hey look, she is huge"

Anonymous (February 18, 2006)

yo~ it's DIVINE!! i thought she/he/it died

stevejonestherealbones (February 18, 2006)

That's the one thing that keeps me from pulling my hair out at times like this. This thread of comments is moronic.

-adam

i h8 to break it to you adam, but they are ALL thinking it. even the singer in this band saw this review and thought, "i rock for a fat chick, and i'm pretty funny for a girl"

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

stevejonestherealbones (February 18, 2006)

i think its safe to say, if that was a chubby dude on the cover, a chris farly type in a tank top, there would be a ton of "fat" comments as well

- jones the "greek god" bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Inspection12e (February 18, 2006)

I think you take this whole "commenting" thing far too seriously. I was mainly joking, I mean she is fat so that part I wasn't joking about. It's not my fault the girl has a weight problem.

Anonymous (February 17, 2006)

This girl can actually sing. Impressive.

Anonymous (February 17, 2006)

The music is pretty good, that's what matters, stop being so superficial. Score is for the band.

Anonymous (February 17, 2006)

She has some pit hair going too. Maybe you can't tell from the size of the picture, but trust me it's there.

Anonymous (February 17, 2006)

This thread is hilarious, nice work Jones.

-Not-To-Regret

PS: Fat chicks: More cushion for the pushin!

adam (February 17, 2006)

"Oh well, only a small fraction of the people who read this actually comment."

That's the one thing that keeps me from pulling my hair out at times like this. This thread of comments is moronic.

-adam

Anonymous (February 17, 2006)

It sucks that everytime any band has a member that's female, the message board is wasted discussing how she looks. Oh well, only a small fraction of the people who read this actually comment.

-Will

Anonymous (February 17, 2006)

"That they're all funny looking and not psuedo-pop stars with cool haircuts is really just icing on the cake"

is that a joke? look at them, they totally have "cool" haircuts. perhaps she doesn't but the other 2 certainly do. they are awfully funny looking though, i'll give you that. she is strangely attractive though...

Anonymous (February 17, 2006)

what about ugly rich kids?

Cos (February 17, 2006)

I think insound said it best: "Its dance-punk that doesn't sound like the Rapture." Its also nice to hear modern dance that doesn't have any synthesizers and isn't afraid to go towards disco occasionally, not to mention that the band is as tight as a fucking drum. Hannah is a rockin' drummer.

That they're all funny looking and not psuedo-pop stars with cool haircuts is really just icing on the cake. Fuck pretty rich kids playing indie rock.
--Cos

joeg (February 17, 2006)

good stuff. nice review.

Anonymous (February 17, 2006)

i dont' know if it was on the album cover or not, the posters i'd seen in stores and venues promoting them had her front and center leaning over.

did find this bad boy though

http://www.underexposed.org.uk/gossip/gossip2.jpg

an d hey jones, fat girls need love too. that said i weigh about 140 and can't provide said love

stevejonestherealbones (February 17, 2006)

has anyone said shes fat yet?

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

- p.s. i looked for these clevage shots on amazon.com and didnt see what you were talking about

- p.p.s who wants huge boobs when they come with huge everything else

- p.p.p.s yes, my body is fuckin perfect, like a norse god

Anonymous (February 17, 2006)

i'm liking that there is less cleavage on the cover of this one. for a while i thought they were trying to sell the band by saying "hey look, she has huge cans" not that i don't like huge cans but i don't usually buy albums for them

Sluggo (February 17, 2006)

why is her weight or appearance even an issue? i would hope that a site like this could be a forum free of this kind of bullshit. i don't hear anyone criticizing D4 for being fat.

Inspection12e (February 17, 2006)

But in the end she's still fat and no sense of humor can change that.

elliot (February 17, 2006)

actually, for a big lady, the singer is really pretty. she's got a helluva voice, and she's really funny live. beth is just a witty, no-nonsense lady.

i saw them with sleater-kinney, and beth came out with them and did a cover of danzig's "mother." it was jaw-dropping.

fistchode (February 17, 2006)

do you get punched in the face a lot?

Anonymous (February 17, 2006)

uh oh. fat chick on the cover.

don't lecture, i just don't like fat women. i don't like women with "sand-bag" arms. gross.

i don't like chicks with no ass either, though. and legs the width of my wrist, literally (which is small, i'm a little fuck face).

Archangel (February 17, 2006)

This is one of the rotations in my school's radio station. I tried it out, and it was absolutely terrible.

Skip this garbage.

Sluggo (February 17, 2006)

Kill Rock Stars?

Doesn't that kind of conflict with the whole band members on the cover and not even in a cool photo, thing?

Someone wants to be recognized in public.

Anonymous (February 17, 2006)

No fat chicks!

Anonymous (February 17, 2006)

didnt know they had a new one out. in this age of leaked albums, this is a nice suprise to be suprised.

the bellrays are great, but the guitarist has an ego the size of keith richards lifeline.

someone bought me a gossip shirt once and I appreciated it.

wyzo