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In case the articles, essays and opinions throughtout this site just weren't enough for you, here's my online diary (a.k.a. 'blog'). It's as close as you'll come to the inside of my head, so don't say I didn't warn you
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   Wednesday, November 16, 2005

   LADIES OF THE EIGHTIES

It's been a good week for gay men over the age of thirty (I hear they exist) as many of our high-school 'divas' have released new material. Let's go from the sublime to the ridiculous...

First up, there's Kate Bush with her first album in twelve years. 'Aerial' is a two-CD set of new material, including a linked series of songs entitled 'A Sky of Honey' that takes place over the course of a morning, afternoon and night. It's lovely, elegant and more than a bit peculiar, much like the woman herself. I found both discs perhaps a bit too low-key upon first listen but never dull (the Guardian said it's an album "in which virtually nothing happens, albeit very beautifully"). The first single "King of the Mountain" is both a straightforward pop song and a mysterious tone poem and there are numerous other lyrical and melodic surprises throughout the album. A gorgeous return.

Next, there's Annie Lennox reuniting with Dave Stewart for two new songs on the Eurythmics 'Ultimate Collection.' They last got together for 1999's 'Peace', an album that featured gorgeous production on songs that were simply fine -- a successful reunion but far from previous heights. Sadly, the two new songs continue that trend, except for the surprise of Lennox's voice. In the stomping new single, "I've Got a Life," her voice is stronger, clearer and more powerful than ever. The song has a beautiful chorus without much else but Annie totally sells it. Plus she looks completely fabulous in the playfully-nostalgic video (check it out at their site). I ended up frustrated -- not by the new material but by the absence of an entire album. Get back to the studio, you two -- the world still needs you!

Finally, there's Madonna, who's apparently created a new Gay national holiday on November 15th with yesterday's release of her new album, 'Confessions on a Dance Floor.' I've always considered Madonna a better businesswoman than artist and I've had serious difficulty with her near-insane levels of pretension but, in this case, I have to cry uncle. 'Confessions' is a lot of fun, with the first three tracks deliriously-perfect pop. Much of the credit, however, goes to producer Stuart Price -- Madonna's contribution tends to veer towards lyrics like "I don't like cities, but I like New York/Other places make me feel like a dork." I try to focus on the disco, which is infectious fun and very eighties.