Sound Check is a monthly column providing news and reviews of queer women in music.
There’s so much new music coming from queer women lately that I’m going to review several albums this time – so there should be something for everyone!
RELEASES REVIEWED
Sandra Bernhard has friends in high places, including Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders. The comedian releases a new musical album, Whatever it Takes, this month and Hynde is one of the guests on the song “All Around.” Hynde’s vocals, of course, are the best part of the track.
Bernhard’s voice is distinctly hers, and that’s because much of it sounds like her talking on the harder-hitting rock numbers. On lighter numbers like the title track, however, it’s a little less like shouting, but still just not very good. Most of the songs are cheesy and sound overproduced.
The only thing I can come away with from Whatever it Takes is my strong respect for Sandra Bernhard as a comedian and actress.
Sarah Bettens‘ new album, Never Say Goodbye, is a mix of live versions of older songs and new tracks like opener “I Can Do Better Than You.” From the beginning, it’s apparent that the out singer/songwriter is exploring other genres and finding her trademark rasp-tinged vocals sound just as good on a jazzy number as they do on sexy bass-fueled songs like “Come Over Here.”
Never Say Goodbye is more old than new, but the sad “Slow You Down,” cover of Bonnie Raitt‘s “Can’t Make You Love Me” and live acoustic version of her K’s Choice hit, “Not An Addict,” make it well worth owning.
Canadian queer duo Madison Violet (also known as Mad Violet)’s No Fool for Trying will be loved by country fans looking for something new. Fans of Allison Krauss or Sugarland will love the women’s harmonies and lyrics that liken relationships to small towns that aren’t big enough for two people.
They sing “don’t go telling lies to me, Lauralee” on the second track, “Lauralee,” which is reminiscent of country from divas like Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire as opposed to newer country stars that angle toward pop.
The sexiest song on the album, by far, is “Best Part of Your Love.” Right after singing about her dress “slipping down and [falling] right to the floor,” it’s back to the country themes of crying over spilled drinks and a lover’s affair with the bottle.
From throwback sounds to futuristic slam poetry music, Good Asian Drivers (Kit Yan and Melissa Li) make political folk-pop that seamlessly flow while celebrating women on their debut, Drive Away Home. And even though the words are a large part of the focus, the instrumental and vocals are just as strong on the album, with an intense soulfulness that I was impressed with straight-off.
Drive Away Home is very, very gay. If you are into songs about gender, feminism and sexuality, you will love what Good Asian Drivers have for you. Even if you don’t consider yourself a fan of spoken word, you’ll probably find it pleasing with the music from Li.
Catie Curtis tries her hand at covers of artists like Nina Simone and Cat Stevens on Hello, Stranger. Like her previous cover of Death Cab for Cutie‘s “Soul Meets Body,” the lesbian country-folk singer is able to take a song and rearrange it to become her own while maintaining the original’s aesthetic.
Fans of both Catie and Mary Gauthier will love their original duet, “Hello, Stranger,” making it also a perfect name for the album.
NEWS AND NOTES
CocoRosie will be embarking on their first North American tour in over two years, beginning on September 2. They will be playing songs from their new album which is slated for a 2010 release.
The Gossip have announced an October tour in support of their new album, Music for Men, with JD Samson‘s new band MEN serving as openers.
Rockabilly trio Girl in a Coma just released a video for their single “Static Mind.”</>
The bisexual-woman fronted The Sounds just got off tour with No Doubt and will be on their own for a worldwide excursion beginning in September.
Queer singer/songwriter Erin McKeown has signed a deal with Ani Difranco‘s label, Righteous Babe Records. Her new album, Hundreds of Lions, will come out on October 13.
Minneapolis-based lesbian band Sick of Sarah have released The Best Thing EP which is four new songs, available online only.
Rachael Cantu is seeking support from fans to help fund the recording of her new album by selling autographed EPs on her website.
Uh Huh Her are debating changing their name before they plan the release of the new album, which they are in the process of writing and recording for now.
MC Flow‘s “Created Equal” is up for Song of the Year from the San Diego Music Awards.
k.d. lang recently penned an essay about her life and relationships for the UK’s Guardian.
Sleater-Kinney fans, take note: Carrie Brownstein‘s music blog for NPR, MonitorMix, is now on Twitter and has also started broadcasting video blogs.
