The Gossip - Movement

The Gossip
Movement
Kill Rock Stars
Grade: A-

Movement starts off on "Nite" with a slow bass drum leading into in a thick slow blues riff and lead signer Beth Ditto wailing "last night, last night, you came a'the house three or four times." This introduces you to one of the coolest records to be released in 2003. Paired with strip downed guitar and drums, Ditto's vocals carry the Gossip through thick and thin while capturing the listener's attention and leaving them begging for more.

Originally from Arkansas and now located in Olympia, WA, the three-piece Gossip attack the music with a strong bent towards roots rock and blues while putting the sound into a punk framework. As such, their sound is truly unique in the indie world. The songs on Movement, the Gossip's second full-length, move between slow tempo bluesy-wallowing numbers to uptempo garage-rock songs. As noted, lead singer Ditto's vocals give the Gossip their signature sound. It is almost as if she has a fire within and can only do so much to keep it in check. Her vocals are powerful variations on traditional gospel and blues cadences. Another aspect of the Gossip's sound is Nathan Howdeshell's tuned-down distorted guitar. Most of the riffs sound as if you crossed Morphine and Sonic Youth with roots and blues. Noticeably, Howdeshell's guitar serves as a brilliant accompaniment to Ditto's vocals. Rounding out the three-piece is Kathy Mendonca minimalist drum-kit and consistent beats. Though the Gossip's musical method differentiates themselves with the rest of the Riot Girl scene, they are unapologetic in their view of the world.

After the opening song "Nite," as discussed above, the songs on Movement take on a life of their own, leaving a number of memorable impressions. The second song "Jason's Basement" starts off with an uptempo Sonic Youth guitar sound before moving to the repeating lyric "I get by with the people I know, get by with the people I know." This is one of several songs on the record that quickly grabs your attention and leaves an immediate impression. After the compelling "No, No, No" and "Don't (Make Waves)," the Gossip come back with some Morphine riffs on "All My Days." As a clearer to tie to their roots music attachment, the music stops about two-thirds through and there is hand-clapping and just Ditto's singing recorded in a faint manner. This is followed by one of the best songs on the record "Yesterday's News." The song begins slow and grinding before going to a faster beat and catchy refrain of the title. Other standout tracks on the record include "Fire Sign," "Confess"…; there is no need to finish since I would just list the rest of the songs on the record. Of note, "Confess" contains a more considerable reliance on traditional punk guitar work than much of the rest of the record. "Lesson Learned" provides some telling lyrics, while "Dangerrr" is set in a more sensuous tone with lyrics like "Well honey, honey, honey, I could be so good to you baby." The album is rounded out with "Light Light Sleep," a drawn-out number (and later some experimental noise hidden song) that goes back to the roots and blues foundation of the Gossip's sound.

Movement has been launched to totally blow you away. After hearing just the first two songs, there is no denying that the Gossip are a force to be reckoned with. There is absolutely no stopping this three-piece. Once Movement is given a fair listen across the musical spectrum, the Gossip will explode and will be cited as a refreshing change to scene doldrums.