. The Gossip : Standing in the Way of Control (KillRockStars).
The long awaited full-length by the sexisest soul'n'roll trio in the world is finally out!!!! The live preview made the whole of Europe (we do realize we're being extremely eurocentrist here) wet with anticipation. Of course, the Standing In The Way of Control single, with its LeTigre remix on the B-side, made the 3 months we had to wait bearable and utterly danceable. Then it came and we all did. Follows a description these multiple orgasms: "Fire with Fire" and "Standing in the Way of Control" are both strong and empowering resistance tracks, the first one addressing girls in particular : rock'n'riot rallying cry. It's all rage'n'soul, rock'n'passion. The band is extremely tight and explosive, Beth's lyrics as intense as her voice. "Jealous Girls" is as sincere as familiar, "Coal to Diamonds" is sad and slow, along the Mississipi. Beautiful, "I am a Fool for you" holy love and despair, as this dark and scary "Holy Water" or the desperately gloomy "Dark Lines." With a guitar (or bass), drums and a voice, they manage to create the most perfect rock'n'roll with heart, soul and open flesh. It's right there, in front of your eyes, inside of you. "Your Mangled Heart" is the best track of the year, with a break in the structure, rolling into a crescendo and leaving Beth screaming "I don't want the world/I just want what I deserve" on the top of her lungs and anger. The track slides smoothly into "Listen Up!," a super groovy about friendship advises (more of a warning, really). "Keeping You Alive" is very representative of the band's ethos of punk resistance, love, and hope in spite of it all... what get and keep communities together. The best record of the millennium, you cannot miss it.

 

.Sexy Sushi : 4 tracks demo (self-released).
I was asked last Saturday if it was true that French people ate raw onions like they were donughts... and then what this famous "french opening" was all about. It was quite obvious that this charming and delicate person (do I need to mention it was a blond guy from Oslo's rich neighbourhood? See, we're all prejudiced, but sometimes we're not that wrong) was talking about cunts and I admitted I was not sure, actually wondering if mine was qualifying for one... well my passport says so at least. What I knew for sure, however was that French electropunktrashclashsplash is fun, sex and funny, especially when it comes from Brittany (clumsy rhyming intended). From the country of the setting sun, come Sexy Sushi (aka Mitch Silver and Rebeka Warrior), an irreverent duo of happy pranksters that basically take the piss of everything. Even better, they do it with true talent. A quick glance at this four tracks before you get your own: "Sex Appeal" is a girl on policewoman action (HOT!), told in the present tense in a super sensual voice on smooth and sleazy beats that turn you into a peepin tom. You'll get down, and probably on one another. Then comes the über-trah 80s intro of "Hibernatus" (do you like gladiator films? and Metal Urbain? and Gogol?) with simple but radically efficient electro beats and a dvd in their anus. I danced my way to the fridge during the instrumental to go and get a beer ("øl" in norwegian... pronounce "ull") because I needed some fluid. Back for "J'ai Peur" which I thought was a parody of Exchpoptrue's "Afraid" but fast and in the teeth but again, I might be wrong. Sometimes I just assume thing, you should not pay too much attention to this. What's more important, is that you don't miss this fabulous programatador'n'stage animal called Mitch and the fantastic electrotrashmetalvocalwarrior Bequi when they happen to be in yr hood. And before you a sk them for the record, listen, or eat a bun (or an onion-sushi...yak!) : http://sexysushi.free.fr/

.Fitts for Fight : Ooh-oh (Self-released).
Stuffed poodles and a shooting walkyrie in a bunny costume on the cover.. Difficult to get an idea of the music besides that it’s probably going to be lo-fi DIY. Well, that’s if you don’t know F4F yet, and it’s always good to have some kind of introduction. A couple of months ago since we heard their previous record (and 2 hits: ”My Parents were on Acid” and ”Holy Sex”).. And they are back with 10! Talk about being productive! And already a couple of more hits: ”Tears Like Alcohol” , ”Girlfriend”, the excellent” she is stealing drugs” and the incredibly strange ”Rock without Cock.” Not tight, voluntarily low quality but inventive beats , cheecky, charming and free lyrics. This is true, real punk attitude. Gotta be fit for fight!