Gossip

3/5
Music For Men
It’s hard to figure out exactly what Rick Rubin is doing as a producer, even if most of the time he’s doing it right. In a cover story for The New York Times magazine two years ago, Rubin said, ‘I have no training, no technical skill – it’s only this ability to listen and try to coach the artist to be the best they can be from the perspective of a fan.’ This particular fan has orchestrated some of pop music’s classic records, from early Beastie Boys to late Johnny Cash. (He has a spotty past, too, helming weak efforts from Linkin Park, Weezer and more.) So interest was piqued when Rubin chose Gossip’s fourth album as an early project at his new job as co-head of Columbia Records.

In short, Rubin has largely finished off the group’s transition from punk to dance. The non-lyrical portions pop on songs such as ‘Heavy Cross’, as well as the vocals, instruments and synths, are well balanced – loudness watchdogs be damned. Music For Men retains the rock edge of the band’s previous work with thrashers such as ‘8th Wonder’, but the album is particularly groovy – ‘Love Long Distance’ and others dive head first into disco terrain.

Rubin’s main accomplishment here, though, is bringing Beth Ditto’s diva wail to the fore. Unfortunately, as with much dance music, the lyrical content can be vapid, and the record becomes repetitive halfway through. Music For Men isn’t up there with Licensed To Ill or Raising Hell, but at least Rubin found Ditto the right microphone.
Colin St John
Available in stores.