Another Take on the Gossip's Heavy Cross

So while I appreciate Malia Makowicki's perspective on the merit's of the new(ish) Gossip single, I have finally come to the conclusion that I do not concur. I think earlier Gossip material benefited from it's meld of soul punk and dance grooves: songs like "Night" (from 2003's Movement) and "Yr Mangled Heart" (from 2006's career-launching Standing in the Way of Control) sounded like they were written by a band that refused to forsake one for the other. Clearly, based on the crystalline sheen and simplistic dimensions that characterize "Heavy Cross", they have made a distinct choice--not unlike their former peers in the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, who recently all but removed guitars from their mix. While I'm certain all those dance remixes of "Standing in the Way of Control" helped pave the way to being able to afford part-time residency in the U.K. and garnering the attention of producers like Rick Rubin, they also seemed to dissolve the band's interest in anything garage-y or risky. I'm all for artistic evolution, but I miss the old Gossip:

Luckily, just as Makowicki and myself have noted; Ditto remains a force of nature and it's all about the live show with the Gossip, so I'll still be front and center when she sashays her sparkly self on stage at the Capitol HIll Block Party on Saturday (their set time is slated for 8:45 p.m.). On a related note, some people seem to be under the impression that the CHBP is sold out, but that's definitely not the case; you can still snag your advance tickets online here. If you wait till the last minute, you'll need to buy them at the gate or at one of the other outlets (Urban Outfitters, Moe Bar or Rudy's Barbershop).