Times used to be that come June, record labels would tip a hat to Gay Pride Month by issuing your run-of-the-mill circuit party compilation with a generic shirtless muscle boy on it, or maybe even slap some random unmarketable artists together and call it something vaguely gay. So how exciting is it that in 2010 that my big gay mail box is bursting with not one, but two super-talented and unabashedly faggoty rock bands, Scissor Sisters and Semi Precious Weapons!
SPW's debut album ( out now ) makes no bones about what it is or wants to be: a balls out glam rock record in the tradition of New York Dolls with a touch of Guns and Roses. But about halfway into their eponymous CD, you realize it's a bit more cheesy hairband than their loftier goals. While fun rockers like the self-referential Semi Precious Weapons and Sticky With Champagne hit the glam spot a bit, songs like "Magnetic Baby" and "Put a Diamond In It" feel forced and lazily produced at times. Oddly, its not until the '80s style power ballad "Leave Your Pretty To Me" that you really feel Justin Tranter's hit a sweet spot. So while their debut falls a bit short of the hype, with time and a good producer, they could be a band to watch out for.
On the other hand, Scissor Sisters finally allowing an outside producer ( Stuart Price of Madonna's Confessions ) has given them the album we've all been waiting for. From start to finish, the blatantly disco third CD, Night Work ( out June 29 ) thrills like nothing we've heard in years from any band. After their pretty decent debut, and their tepid sophomore album, they've made an album you might as well call Filthy Gorgeous x 11: more Anna, more electronics, tighter songwriting and tons of sex. These boys ( and girl ) certainly have a lot to be proud of this June!
