I have this image of The Gossip’s Beth Ditto in my head. A younger Tracy Turnblad from Hairspray if John Waters had taken a more decidely punk twist. Just as Tracy fought with dance and music for civil rights. Ms. Ditto fights through her own music for a similar set of civil rights. The freedom to love. Music for Men the latest record from The Gossip goes one step forward from Standing in The Way of Control. Maybe its a change in the current power regime from Bush to Obama or the genius of Rick Rubin on production, but this album feels dare I say it…hopeful?

Pop Goes The World, is The Gossip gone disco-politico-anthem. “start a demonstraion or we’ll create a scene..make noise from our frustration..for once we can have the final say..goodbye to yesterday..cuz they know we’re here to stay….”

The Gossip are setting the stage for their own Corny Collin’s show, and it is gonna be one hell of a dance off.