I can't believe it…
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…but I have purchased a CD. I don't usually buy, I borrow. I don't listen to female artists (weird huh), I don't listen to anything with a heavy social agenda, or anything remotely dyke-ish (if that's a proper word). Picky, much? After picking my way carefully through M's CD collection (I’m sure she's going to have something to say about it soon) for something to liven me up whilst doing the washing up, I happened across a few CDs that shall not be named to minimise embarrassment and to cut a long story short, I have been listening whenever I have the chance. Some of you who know me will have noticed that I have been tied up in electric wire this week and now you know why.
I was sceptical initially. The website says that the album occupies the ground between "rock, old-school punk, and folk" and goes on with the following…
'Prom' roams over the vast territory of love and gender as contained in the physicality of nature. The subject matter spans a delicate landscape (suicide, racism, gender identification, political idealism, homophobia) but because she sees this awkward journey as both a struggle and a celebration, Ray comes across as curious and unafraid.
That alone would make me not buy it and relegate it to the pile of 'lefty dyke music'. But wow. A fantastic CD. Great voice, but haunting almost – easy on the ears and not too harsh or piercing but powerful. That, I suppose is why I don't like listening to female voices. It's like: Yes, I hear you. Yes, you sing well. Make me feel something.
You can download the first two tracks for free from Daemon Records and then turn the volume up. I'm listening to it with a grin on my face. It calms me. The lyrics inspire and intrigue. There's a punk feel, in a nice way. There's nothing like a bit of anger and passion, especially in "Put It Out".
Budgeting over the Christmas period can be hard but forget the rent; this should be top of your list.
23 Nov 2005 16:17
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Tags: Amyray Music Review
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M
For those who want to know, I shall name the music that Jane is not prepared to admit to.
Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge.
These two artists are almost part of lesbian folklore. If you don't like them, you are not a true lesbian. I suspect this is why Jane resisted for so long. Not wanting to fit in to the stereo type. Denouncing the music before having actually listened to it.
But I knew it would catch up with her eventually and now it has. Because quality is never lost on true listeners.
By the way, if someone knows why gays and lesbians seem to be attrackted to certain artists before they even know they or the artists are gay, I would like to know. Why did I listen to Etheridge and Indigo Girls when I was 13, not knowing they (and me) were all lesbians. It intrigues me greatly.
23 Nov 2005, 16:54
It's like admitting to being a trekkie…but I am not ashamed. I will not delete your comment.
But female singers still grate. It feels like the dentists drill to me i.e. Mary Black, Alanis Morissette etc.
23 Nov 2005, 17:09
M
Dentist Drill? That is what you used to say about Indigo Girls before you actually bothered to listen to them properly.
Prejudiced much?
23 Nov 2005, 17:20
And also, I hate country. At my last job, the only office rules were 'no religious music, no country music' and I think that they got it right.
Why is it that lesbian music is so damned folky/country. Bleugh. Maybe that is my problem. And it is only the IG newer alternative stuff that I like that has a beat and is not some album full of mushy songs about unrequited love.
In response – it could have been pure chance. Or that the themes of their songs appealed to you on some level that you weren't aware of at the time. Have you re-listened (and I mean really listen) to the stuff you were listening to when you were younger and tried to think it out?
23 Nov 2005, 17:23
You know I'm a homophobe and I know you're a bigot so lets leave it there :-)
23 Nov 2005, 17:24
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