by bill biss
Goddess BANKS
Sultry with a lovelorn vocal style, BANKS voice is
presented with a stripped-down vibe of sounds. Her talent mystifies listeners and is intriguing to hear. The songwriter/singer is an L.A. native and manages to capture the darker side of love with an intuitive grace. The striking “Beggin’ for Thread” bears an intensity of personal exposure and emotional heat. With “Drowning” her voice brings to mind the tones of Suzanne Vega, with a touch of Stevie Nicks. The songwriting is lyrically intricate and rich in textures of depth which only add to her hypnotic and captivating skills. Available September 8.
The Violet Flame Erasure Erasure’s distinctive sound of analog synths comes front and center for The Violet Flame. The new songs were also written using synths, instead of guitar… which is a new and unusual approach for Andy and Vince’s songwriting. There is a modern energy that bursts forth with a stronger dance vibe throughout and clean and superb vocals by Bell. “Paradise” sizzles with a positive and vibrant sensibility while “Elevation” glides in with the epic message of the power of love. Erasure’s 16th studio album is a fresh testament to the duo’s longevity. Available September 23.
Cheek To Cheek Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett It’s very clear that Lady Gaga has a phenomenal
voice that in the musical universe of “The Fame” or “ARTPOP” hasn’t been utilized to its full advantage. In a mutual admiration society, Tony Bennett comes on board to let the lady spread her wings vocally in the jazz-infused world of the American songbook. Gaga’s natural ability with classics such as “Lush Life” or “Every Time We Say Goodbye” is astounding while Bennett, simply put, is the mas- ter vocalist of our time. This “Mambo Italiano” of a pairing, featuring the finest of composers such as Berlin, Gershwin and Porter, is a delightful and romantic jazz rendezvous. Available September 23.
The Normal Heart “You can’t stop fighting for the ones you love.” Larry Kramer’s Tony Award-winning play The Normal Heart is presented as an HBO film with the screenplay written by Kramer. The film looks at the very early days of the disease now known as AIDS. Recounting the horror and heartbreak of the battle to get governmental and social attention paid to what was then considered a “gay” issue. Some who lived through the original outbreak and lost lovers or friends may at times find The Normal Heart too upsetting to watch. A stellar cast touchingly recreates the fear, compas- sion and ultimately…hope, in this horrific part of our history. Available now.
EastSiders EastSiders offers a bittersweet and realistic time capsule of two gay lovers living together in Silver Lake and what happens when one of them cheats on the other. As in any relationship, there are several ways that this could turn out and the film (originally a web series) manages to create enough honest emotion, friendship and com- plications in the characters to keep an invested interest to the conclusion. Created, written and directed by Kit Williamson, who also stars as one of the lovers “Cal,” EastSiders stirs up an emotional complexity of feelings. Available now.
OUT in the Line-Up The unacknowledged side of surf culture, in regard to homosexuality, is brought to light and explored by two gay friends, along with numerous other gay and lesbian surfers in the documentary OUT in the Line-Up. Embarking on a global journey to Mexico, Australia, Hawaii, Galapagos and Ecuador, there are interviews with professional surfers who either cut their career short because of their sexuality or basically have never opened up publicly about the issue before. The ultimate and powerful goal, is the realization of acceptance above everything…all while catch- ing the perfect wave. Available now.
My Thinning Years: Starving the Gay Within Jon Derek Croteau Telling his personal story, which is both heart-
breaking and life affirming, Jon Derek Croteau shares his childhood under a mentally abusive father’s control, his struggles of acceptance in realizing his homosexuality and his interior battle to fight anorexia and bulimia. Many of the issues of which Croteau writes, will strike a deep chord of empathy while his honesty and self-realization of discovery provide a positive blueprint for over- coming life’s challenges. My Thinning Years is truly inspiring, relatable and courageous. Available September 9.
States of Desire Revisited: Travels in Gay America Edmund White We’ve come a long way, baby…Edmund White
takes a forward-thinking look back at the gay culture of the United States in the late 1970s. The Gay Rights Movement, gay liberation and sexual freedom were flourishing. At that time, White trav- eled across America, speaking to LGBT individuals and hitting all the major cities and then some. His impressions and the thoughts of those he spoke with are certain to provide a captivating look at these moments in time, before AIDS. His fresh and worthwhile perspective of gay culture since then is both funny and spot-on in his truths. Available September 18.
First Comes Love B. Proud Beautifully captured in photographs, long-term LGBTQ couples are celebrated, along with the personal stories of their lives. Illustrating from 10 to 50 years of loving relationships, the book is the exhilarating idea of photographer Barbara Proud and is a crucial part of the “First Comes Love Proj- ect,” which documents these enduring aspects of love and ultimately, the right to marry. 65 couples create this collection of black and white photo- graphs and testimonies. First Comes Love looks to continue to open hearts to marriage equality and LGBTQ rights, by honoring these true-life love stories. Available September 26.
HEAR THIS: WATCH THIS: READ THIS: 28 RAGE monthly | SEPTEMBER 2014
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