Illuminations
By: Little Boots
Genre: Dance/Pop
My Rating: ???? ½

This British sensation wowed me with some pretty solid numbers. While I still haven’t heard the whole album, I’ve been given enough sample tracks to know it won’t be dragged down no matter what the other songs sound like.
My first impression was of the hit track “New in Town” with the joyful chorus “I’m gonna take you out tonight, I’m gonna make you feel alright, I don’t have a lot of money but we’ll be fine, no I don’t have a penny but I’ll show you a good time.”
Other great ones include “Stuck on Repeat”, “Not Now”, and “Love Kills”. I also received a single of “Remedy” and various remixes. While the album version is a bit eccentric if not repetitive, the Stonemasons Radio Edit does a respectable job of adapting it to a happier mood for the dance floor.

Got Love
By: Josh Zuckerman
Genre: Rock/Pop
My Rating: ??? ½

If you think albums about love have to be all warm and fuzzy, then think again. Josh Zuckerman’s music carries a powerful message about being true to one’s self, and this his third album is an unapologetic exploration of love–“the four letter word that heals the planet.”
Love is a topic that many other artists have beaten to death in brain-dead bewilderment, but Zuckerman comes at it from a uniquely different, philosophical angle. His lyrics are generalized and idealistic, and at time a little religious, but he trades those same ol’ personal lamentations for a more intelligent commentary on what’s wrong with the world today, and how love can solve it.
Whether family or friend (I’m guessing family), I have to commend Zuckerman for making a strong political statement with his music–it’s not an easy task.
The opening track, “To Be Today” is an epic–sounding rock piece that introduces the struggle for love to overcome fear. Immediately to follow is the title track, “Got Love?”, another troubled song which pleads for greater acceptance: “Let’s speak the words to the couple on the street who have got to be discrete just so that they don’t have to be looked at, laughed at, anywhere they’re stared at. Let’s not be missing that the problem is beneath the skin. Black, white, doesn’t matter, gay, straight, thin or fatter, when love is the answer, got no more fears, got love.”
While these two were the best on the CD in my opinion, I also quite enjoyed “When We Dance” and “Take”.

She Wolf
By: Shakira
Genre: Latin/Pop
My Rating: ???

“Whenever, Wherever” used to be one of my favorite songs on the dance floor – it was strong and confident. Two things Shakira’s latest album is not. Compared to her past hits, “She Wolf” is a wet rag, a deflated balloon…even when she howls like a wolf, there’s a certain…lack of commitment. Regardless, “She Wolf” is the most memorable song on the CD.
As for many of the remaining tracks, I felt like there was a certain fullness lacking, as if the orchestration fell short. In “I Did It Again”, Shakira tries to fill in the gaps with soft-spoken lyrics, sexy sighs and gasps to the point of being annoying, as if trying to sell the song on sex appeal alone. While this may work on the lesbians, the fags need something more.
The only other song I found to have a glimmer of hope was “Spy”, with a stronger and catchier melody. It seems to be designed for a saxophone accompaniment, but the part is filled with a lame sounding vocal imitation. I wince a little when I hear that part, but the rest is good.


Beauty Killer
By: Jeffree Star
Genre: Rock/Goth
My Rating: ????

Only in a gay magazine would it not be weird that the “Queen of the Club Scene” is a guy. On the cover of his album, in full drag, Star passes for a pretty stunning woman. On the back he sits completely naked save for pink leather gloves, high heel shoes, some serious tattoos, and a head of long bright orange hair. He is described as “a non-drinking, non-smoking scorpio who’d sacrifice a freshly applied, $50 pedicure to put a foot up your ass, should the occasion call for it.” That’s a tall glass of character.
And his music is fantastic: danceable, high-energy rock with a sadistic twist. His lyrics juxtapose high fashion with gore and murder, especially exemplified in “Lois Vuitton Body Bag”. I particularly liked the opening track “Get Away with Murder”, “Electric Sugar Pop”, and closing numbers “Fresh Meat” and “Queen of the Club Scene”.

Other Recommended Listening
Albums
“Sounds of the Universe”
By: Depeche Mode
Genre: Electronic/Pop
Mood: Dark, Depressing, Discordant
My Rating: *** ½
Faves: “In Chains”, “Hole to Feed”, “Wrong”

“Echo”
By: Leona Lewis
Genre: Pop/Ballad
Mood: Warm, Sentimental, Feel-good
My Rating: ***
Faves: “Happy”, “Brave”

“I Look To You”
By: Whitney Houston
Genre: Soul/R&B
Mood: Uplifting, Strong, Sentimental
My Rating: ***
Faves: “Nothin’ But Love”, “Worth It”

“Crazy Love”
By: Michael Bublé
Genre: Jazz/Pop
Mood: Relaxed, Happy
My Rating: ** ½
Faves: “Haven’t Met You Yet”

Singles
“Sexy People”
By: Lolene
Genre: Dance/Pop
Mood: Upbeat, Confident, Sexy
My Rating: ****
Fave Mix: Static Revenger