A Joyful Noise

Gossip | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 22, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Columbia
• ASIN: B007IX00Y8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,220 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2012 album from the Alt-Rock band fronted by Beth Ditto. A Joyful Noise is a blend of Soul, Gospel, Rock, Funk, Disco, Punk, Passion and Rebellion, Recorded in both Xenomania, Higgins' studio in England, and KBC Studios in Portland, Oregon, A Joyful Noise stays true to Gossip's trademark brash and unapologetic nature - that is, as true as possible for a band that is constantly reinventing itself and pushing boundaries. Working with Higgins, Gossip sought to create their own brand of pop. Ditto proclaimed, "I spent the whole year listening to ABBA and not listening to the radio," accounting for the pulsing energy of A Joyful Noise. The album's infectious tracks will certainly be welcomed by fans who are already entranced by Gossip's insanely danceable beats, and will no doubt lure in many more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Euphoric! May 22, 2012

By Nse Ette TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

Gossip head more in a Dance/Rock direction on their new album "A Joyful Noise". The music is as striking as the cover art.

Opening is the sublime and fuzzy "Melody Emergency", followed by the absolutely adorable "Perfect World" with pulsing synths, trilling guitars and Beth Ditto's emotive vocals soaring above it all, like something from the eighties.

The album is laden with winners; "Get A Job" is a groovy number with a spoken intro and gut-juddering bass ("It was adorable when you were in your twenties, not so cute anymore now that you're pushing thirty, you better get a job" she urges some freeloading party girl), "Into The Wild" is dark and downbeat. "Get Lost" is a slice of quivery House music, truly spectacular! "Involved" is shimmery Pop, "Horns" is a Funky horn-sprinkled Red Hot Chili Peppers-style rocker, while closing is the airy Rocker "Love In A Foreign Place".

A Joyful Noise indeed.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another perfect pop record? Ditto that! May 28, 2012

By Falsetto Prophet

Format:Audio CD

I have been counting down to this release as much for my adoration of Beth Ditto and The Gossip as I was uber-producer Brian Higgins of Xenomania.

Beth Ditto is gorgeous, glamorous and grotesque all in the same collision of fashion and performance art. Her voice works great when fronting monster rock songs like "Standing in the Way of Control" - but then on Simian Mobile Disco-produced The Beth Ditto EP, she proved those pipes could just as seductively slink around a dance groove.

The Gossip - much like the Yeah Yeah Yeah's are no mere backing band. They are musicians at the top of their game. From shredding guitars to thundering bass and now heavenly keyboards they create intense, euphoric sonic soundscapes.

Brian Higgins house of Xenomania has produced most of my favorite pop albums of the past 5 years: 5 perfect albums and 22 CD singles by Girls Aloud, Gabriella Cilmi's stunning "Lessons to be Learned" and the two amazing St. Trinian's soundtracks.

Combined, they have created a dance pop masterpiece. This is audio candy for the ears - the production is crisp, the songs are solid, passionate, intimate and massive. The sound evokes as much Girls Aloud as it does Robyn (the funky, twisted Get a Job), early 80's new wave, latter era ABBA and Donna Summer.

A triumph and on track to be the soundtrack to a funky, fabulous summer.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Album of Summer 2012 May 30, 2012

By Bettyboy72

Format:Audio CD

Ditto is the real deal. "Joyful Noise" is fierce from beginning to end. Fresh, addictive, wicked and glorious. It's an oasis in the sea of crappy pop and cookie cutter dance tracks. I bought this and Scissor Sisters new disc. Gossip far surpassed that disc. The whole album is sublime. Beth's voice is a glorious thing. I can't stop listening and neither will you. Make this your Summer 2012 go to CD. Brilliant stuff!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A New Gossip August 10, 2012

By Minusface

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

It does not contain the shredding or thrill of guitars that many have raved about. It does not have the power of Beths essence and does not showcase the strengths of Hannah or Nathan. It is way too mellow, nearly not as energetic as the band is. Their talent is smothered by the electronic synthesis of sounds. It does not give me the powerful strength to "stand in the way of control" or to fight "fire with fire" as all their past albums have done. It doesn't contain the raw energy as seen in "That's Not What I Heard". The album completely distracts from everything I've ever learned and loved about The Gossip since their very first album. I've had the pleasure to follow the journey of The Gossip from a small little riot grrrl punk band playing tiny venues till now and I understand a band must grow and their sound must change but... It sounds are submissive to the conservative side of what the band is not. Beth's voice has been tamed by the pop direction of Brian Higgins. They were sexier, raw, grotesque, beautiful and powerful before Columbia Records and MAC ever became a part of the band. Come on back to the Kill Rock Star label.

But! One thing that has not changed is their message in their music. Their message continues to find a place for those wanting to fight for a better cause, hope for those who feel left out and and to make a "move in the direction". I will always support this band, even when I feel the band has been detracted away from who they really are. I am and will continue to be in love with this band.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Every Track Is A Single With Cross-Generational Appeal! June 25, 2012

By ChoperPilot

Format:MP3 Music

I give this album an A+! Beth Ditto, Brace Paine and Hannah Blilie have really taken their talents to a new level. The last album I heard from this band was Standing in the Way of Control from 2006. A few tracks were really good, but nothing like this! This new CD rivals almost every new album released in 2012 by far.

The band took sounds from the 70's, 80's, 90's and 00's and combined them to make new modern catchy music. Material like this doesn't come around very often.

This record deserves to be a blockbuster. Literally, every tack has the potential to be a single. Congrats guys! Job well done!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Soundtrack to Summer! June 25, 2012

By David

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

I keep reading reviews announcing Joyful Noise as a dance record, but it's really not. Don't get me wrong, the tunes are infectious and no one can deny the urge to dance along to several tunes like "Move in the Right Direction," but labeling this album as dance is far too shallow. As usual, the Gossip put their unique spin and musical blend on each of these tracks, of which there isn't a bad one in the lot. Yes, it's not Music for Men, but who wants a band to keep repeating what they did on their last outing? Pick up this album, you won't be disappointed.