POP, POP, POP, GOES THE WORLD...

...NEW SALVATION!

I've decided I was going to write this post in English... Simply because it's more appropriate.

I've always been a big Gossip fan. I have all their albums, from their first self-titled EP, when Beth was only... hum... 18 (and part of those weird kids nobody talks to that ends up meeting other weird kids and making an amazing band) to their new "Music For Men" album that I just can't get enough of.

I was first introduced to Gossip when I heard their song "Jason's Basement" from their second album "Movement". That was 6 years ago. In a snowboard DVD. I don't exactly remember which one it was (an all-girls snowboard movie I guess) but it was playing in Vicky Miller's part (a rad snowboarder from the UK). And gawsh, it was an adrenaline-pumping song to snowboard on.

Then came "Standing in the Way of Control" with their new drummer Hannah Billie. I consider it to be one of their best albums since new elements of dance-punk were incorporated to their raw and urgent sound.

With a few Live albums in between, their long awaited album "Music for Men" was released in 2009. And it was worth the wait! Oh thee, beware the "tour de force"! With this album they simply proved that their anthem "Standing in the Way of Control", wasn't going to be a one-hit-wonder. I have to admit though that I'm not a big fan of the proportions their "Heavy Cross" song took all over the planet - especially here in Switzerland. I was bummed to hear it on my local radio station, especially the cheesy-hit-music-only-one that everyone listens to. But I guess that had to happen, eventually. The alternative becomes mainstream. Anyway. ENOUGH SAID.

On November 24, I got to see them for the 3rd time live, in Switzerland at the Fri-Son of Fribourg (first time being at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2008 and then at the Melt! Festival this summer in Germany). And gawsh did I have the time of my life. First because I got to take some pictures with all the other photographers (you know... way up front). Which means you can only shoot the first 3 songs... and I have to admit it wasn't that easy, especially since I was shooting my FIRST big concert. You really have to be concentrated and press the button at the right moment. So many factors can mess up your pictures and send them straight to the trash. First there's the lighting (which was kinda weird, I have to admit). And then there's Beth. Who can't seem to stay still *laughs*. That's what I admire about her too, she knows how to move on stage. And it's a pleasure to see so much energy (not to mention she has a great sense of humor as well).

I guess the funniest moment of the concert was when someone threw an 5-XL classic brief type panty (you know those big underwear made for your grandma, but that are a little sexier). Anyway, Beth caught it in its flight towards her and wore it till the end of the show. She even said that it was the first time in her 10-year-career that someone had thrown her that on stage (and it fitted her perfectly).