MUSIC | Best Albums
by Alley Hector
The Top 5 of 2012
Portland is a music town, so while 2012 saw these quality gay club anthems give dance floor debauchery a message
a plethora of amazing LGBT-fronted albums and meaning.
across the nation, we are lucky enough to be 3. DAMON BOUCHER – Superfag
able to give you a “best of” from a smaller It’s amazing the kind of raw rap energy that can come out of this un-
skinny white dude. Ok, so maybe it’s the dark beats behind
local pool. So here are the top five album assuming
him in contrast with just some straight up spitting, but it works for me.
queers are all about new combinations, unexpected juxtaposi-
releases of the year (leaving a little wiggle Portland
tions, and brilliantly original cultural recipes, and Boucher works that
room for honorable mention) from people chemistry well.
you might run into at the grocery store.
2. CORIN TUCKER BAND – Kill My Blues
For the number 5 spot we’re giving a three-way tie to some EPs that are
promising listens in anticipation of 2013 LPs.
5.
MATTACHINE SOCIAL – Nice is the New Punk Rock
These post-punk electronic band members were some of Just Out’s first inter-
viewees and they are as engaging speaking as they are on stage. With an eclectic
lineup and colorful fashions, Mattachine Social plays music that is fun while still
having feeling and style.
Magic Mouth – Believer
New indie darlings Magic Mouth have also been featured in these pages. Hav-
ing just returned from a tour with world famous Stumptownies, The Gossip, the
crowd seemed to love their steamy male vocals with raucous rock background
as much as the headliners (who are, perhaps, Magic Mouth’s R&B influencers).
Lead vocalist Stephan’s soulful tenor blends perfectly with intense drums and
strings on their introductory EP to create a new gay gospel.
BOY FUNK – Keep Portland Queered
Down and dirty hip-hop funk pop has plenty of color both visually and lyri-
cally. He puts on a fun and sexy show that only makes you feel a little uncom-
fortable (in a good way) just like his first recently release video for “Pop It on
the Porch” which may just be the next dirty sexy Portland anthem.
4.
1.
GOSSIP – A Joyful Noise
I have to admit that I am a fan, but only because every single record of the
Gossip’s since 2006’s Standing in the Way of Control has knocked it out
of the park. This year’s Joyful Noise is no different. When I heard “Perfect
World” last spring, Beth Ditto’s sultry voice remained as powerful as it
has ever been with a slightly more electronic edge to her usual rock back-
ground. The synthesis worked. From the whimsical “Get a Job” to the
inspirational “Move in the Right Direction,” The Gossip remains every
bit the badass rock’n’rollers as they ever were while continuing to grow.
Honorable mention:
REYNOSA (7”)
It may only have two songs, but the record single released this fall from
Reynosa is a welcome departure from the typical Northwest indie fare.
With a queer punk take on Cumbia and a combination of other Latin
styles, the trio of ladies have a great ear for how to take traditional songs,
like the 1960s Peruvian cumbia/Chicha song “Cariñito,” and make them
contemporary and fun to listen to. Expect a lot from these cowgirls in
2013. §
LOGAN LYNN – Tramp Stamps & Birthmarks
His danceable beats with upbeat tunes have landed him praise such as
“the new Golden boy of electro-pop.” To me, the darker lyrics behind
50
Sleater-Kinney veteran Corin Tucker’s new project released its first al-
bum two years ago. The self-dubbed mom rock was a far cry from Tuck-
er’s roots and a little too tame for my taste. But this year the rock is back,
grown up as it may be. Their new collaborative process has also made for
a soothingly Pacific Northwest sound reminiscent of a 90s heyday.
JustOut.com
Alley Hector is Just Out’s Editor-In Chief. Reach her at alley@JustOut.com
January 2013