Reviews (2)

Timely and (all too) true-to-life
I love all of Suzanne Westenhoefer's albums, but this is my favorite just because of how 'in sync' it is with my life and the world I'm living it in. "Waking Up Forty" and "Driving With My Girlfriend" just ring with truisms and I had to turn off "The Needy Cat" while driving because I was laughing too hard to pay attention to the road. "'Friends' In Couples" is the weakest entry here, but everything else is wonderfully funny and entertaining. This is the one I play over and over because it just never gets old.

Not as good as the first 2!
I was pretty disappointed when I got this new comedy CD by Suzanne, since I have her first two and love them! I laughed pretty hard listening to "Nothing in my closet..", and "I'm not Cindy Brady", but her 3rd one, "Guaranteed Fresh", I hardly even cracked a smile at. She's just not as crude and funny with this one - why the change Suzanne? What a disappointment... ... Read more

Album Description

Soundtrack to the popular UK series that inspired the hit Showtime series. 32 tracks on two CDs including, The Kinky Boyz feat. Kia-'Sexy Boy', Mousse T vs Hot 'N' Juicy-'Horny' (Boris Gets Horny Mix), Blondie-'Atomic' (Xenomania Mix), Ultra Nate-'Found A Cure' (Full Intention Club Mix), Ruff Driverz-'Deeper Love' (Ruff Mix), The Weather Girls-'It's Raining Men' and many more current and classic dance tracks. 1999 release. Slimline double jewel case. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

NON STOP PARTY ACTION MUSIC--A "MUST OWN" CD
"Queer as Folk" is a British TV series which chronicles the shenanigans of 3 young gay men. Many sequences from the show take place in steamy dance clubs in the UK which surround these characters in the latest thumping beats. These are all assembled in one collection on this 2 CD set. You will NOT be disappointed with this purchase at all. Order it NOW!

Cheers to the gay boys!!!
Finally, a gay dance cd thats more than just a disco diva remix! Who cares if its all a bunch of covers, this is a well constructed cd that sparkles with every track.....This is the kind of music that makes drag queens strut in their vintage Balenciaga cocktail frocks and Chelsea boys rip off their D&G muscle t-shirts and dance in a frenzy of pride...(PS - Also the BEST work-out cd in years!) Snatch it up now, boys and girls, and make this June the BEST Gay Pride Month ever!

Disk one blah - but disk two ROCKS!
You can listen to disk one once and just put it away, but disk two will take you to Babylon! I've enjoyed it over and over. It's a high-energy dance mix.

Not as good as the new QAF Soudtrack
This is a really good CD but it is not as good as the CD for the new queer as folk series. I urge you to get both because they are both good cds.

great music from a great tv show!
this is alot of wonderful music on 2 cds. the song "santa maria" is just fun. even if you didn't see the tv show the cd is worth getting just for the music. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Standup comedian, actress, and singer Lea DeLaria presents a less confrontational image here than she did on 1994's Bulldyke in a China Shop, adopting the role of seductive, witty, confident, and heterosexual jazz chanteuse to perfection. Her voice ranges from little-girl-lost innocence to harder-edged tones, both suited to the opening "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd." With stylings from Billie Holiday to Judy Garland, "I've Got Your Number" heads straight for the heart of 1950s big-band balladry, improvised scat vocals proving DeLaria can swing with the best. "Cool" is anything but, the accompaniment understated, that voice dripping with the promise of sex. In "With Every Breath I Take," we get to imagine every late night smoky bar in every old Hollywood film we've ever seen--while it is pastiche, the characterization is startlingly evocative.

DeLaria sums it up with "All That Jazz," confidently suggesting, following her recent twin roles in the lavishly acclaimed 2000 Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show, that this girl just wants to have fun playing bad. When she sings "Life Has Been Good to Me," she has such an upbeat twinkle, you suspect she means every word. --Gary S. Dalkin ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Smooth!
She may be a bull ... in a china shop, but Lea's voice is as smooth as the peach fuzz on her chin. She masters the vocal subtleties of jazz, and yet she can belt it out when she needs to. On this CD, Lea gives us some wonderful and unique interpretations of a varied collection of Broadway tunes. Her take on "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd" is unlike any you've ever heard before.

All That Jazz Indeed
This CD is one of the finest I've heard in years. Lea Delaria's low sultry alto voice is magnificent. She has masterfully taken all of my favorite songs and jazzed them up to make them even more wonderful than the originals. I have never heard a more inventive version of The Ballad of Sweeney Todd or All That Jazz. You must get this CD, it is phenomenal beyond words.

Everyone does it, and seldom as well...
All I can say is...WOW.
When my partner and I saw Lea perform her routine in P-town, she wowed us with a stunning version of one of my all-time favorites, "The Ballad of Sweeny Todd." We bought her CD on the spot and it stayed in my car's CD player for weeks on end (and then I only took it out because I had to switch cars).
I enjoyed the whole album, but I found myself playing the first track over and over, and even singing it in the shower. I must disagree with the "Cigar" review on all counts, at least regarding this track. The song lends itself so beautifully to swingin' jazz I can't believe nobody thought of it before. But I'm glad no one has, because Lea Dellaria knocks it out of the park. The smooth delivery is perfect for the dry humor of the lyrics, her belts are such a perfect blend of head and chest it sends chills up my spine, and the arrangement is spot-on. The best part - it stands up beautifully to repeat listenings; I just can't grow tired of this rendition. The opening track alone is worth twice the price of this CD.

Oh Yeah
...This bull... in a china closet just flat kills.. you like your jazz delivered with power, style, and class.. Lea delivers. You want your jazz to swing? It does that too. My highest rating. It won't leave your cd player anytime soon. Did I mention the musicians helping Lea are just as hot?

Great voice, great music
If you're looking for a modern jazz singer with a lesbian edge, this CD is it! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Hunx is the Man!
I just saw Gravy Train!!!! play last night and boy was I happy. They have become one of my most played bands quickly. The lyrics are so funny and terrible that it's brilliant. Plus hunx is really a hunk! Yowser!

but this now.

GO!

You have to be in the right mindset
I'm a music freak, I listen to so much. All genres, everything. I know a lot about music and you're going to take my word for this because itd take too long to give examples of why you should believe me. THIS, is not intelligent music in any sense. But it is still amazing. You want good electroclash, go get ladytron-604. You want something that is going to keep you laughing your ass off whenever you're in that giddy mood or even when you need to be cheered up? Get this. The lyrics are extremely raunchy...but its nothing you probably havent heard before.

Get this cd...you can prolly scrap up enough money to buy it in chunk change alone just lying hidden in the sofa.

have fun-

UH, YES.
Anyone who hates this CD is amazingly lame. It's really that simple.

no.
Horribly irritating electroclash. Just.. disgusting. I'm not a huge fan of Peaches but even she is a hundred times better than this.

Trashy RAP CD!!
...so I decided to leave a different point of view for other people who are curious about GRAVY TRAIN!!. This is what makes music fun. Loud, trashy electro! I really love how the vocals are a mixture of rap diva, riot grrrl, and a little bit of cheerleader thrown into the background. The keyboards sound so amatuer and cheap, that's why it's so good! Aside from the vulgar sexuality, I think the lyrics are pretty clever and playful. ... On this CD my fave track is "Hella Nervous". ... ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Classic
Both of Team Dresch's albums are amazing - this may be the most essential. Great mix of punk, rock & folk, with Kaia and Jodi lending their usually brilliant voices and lyrics to the mix. This is one of my all-time favorite records!

My Personal Best Record
I bought this CD 6 years ago and it didn't get filed into my collection for about a year because it never left my CD player for more than a day or two. I've revisited "Personal Best" at least once a year since and it continues to amaze me. I believe Donna Dresch used to play bass in Dinosaur Jr. for a brief period? J Mascis should kick himself for not letting Donna rock with him on guitar. Lesbian anthems abound on this record but I never thought of it as lesbian in nature because the music cuts straight and pure and speaks to anyone with any guts. Soaring guitars, beautiful melodies, and a punch I haven't felt this strong for years! Stop reading and buy this now!

best yet
this cd is one of the best i own. it lyrically surpasses any mainstream band in a second and musically will knock your socks off. a must have for anyone

My favorite album of all time
This album has inspired me beyond words. It is the first girl-band to write and perform songs that rock, fight and convey the complexity of being a lesbian/girl/woman/queer/person of resistance to the status quo, that I know of. Donna Dresch is an amazing guitarist, who has played in many punk bands before this. Jody is unbelieveable, and also of Hazel fame. Both Donna and Jody have their own record labels: CandyAss and Chainsaw. I know I'm digressing but this history is relevant to their invention of live women's musical revolution without compromise. Kaia is also amazing and has her own albums. Everyone, including my father, should listen to this album. It's difficult at first to hear all the words, but it grows on you and takes you over. Highly reccommend to teenagers and adults alike for educational and free-ing purposes. Musically inspiring too. Enough said. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

This woman is funny as hell,check her out!!
I heard Suzanne once on HBO comedy hour recently and LOVED her!! I've never heard a les woman who just kept it real regardless of what topic. After seeing & hearing her I plan to purchase every cd/book she's ever done. She's quite talented and needs way more exposure.

You won't stop laughing!!
I had the good fortune of meeting Suzanne this past Valentine's day in Houston,TX and bought this cd and had it autographed and such. She is such a down-to-earth, sweet person. I loved this cd and still laugh at it even though I've listened to it a 100 or more times. I highly recommend this cd as well as any of her others if you like to laugh.

*If you are offended by language or sexual content DO NOT BUY THIS ALBUM*

Dangerous to listen to while driving a car
This CD will have you rolling on the floor, which, if you are driving a car, can be very dangerous. Non-stop fun.

Suzanne says it like it is
I think most gay women will laugh at themselves listening to this CD. It is so sad and true....good stuff!

Outrageously funny Femme-fatal!
I bought the CD after seeing her in San Diego and spent the night replaying tracks I couldn't hear over my own laughter. Suzanne doesn't miss a beat when it comes to describing the modern lesbian and the humor of long term relationships. If you love to laugh....mostly at yourself......Buy this CD! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Unusual but Good
Finally, not just a rock group but a group that's not afraid to sing about their expriences with the same sex. I like that they are unsubtle with their songs and why should they be. If you are adventurous enough, check it out, you may like it.

Dacey's Pansy Division Unleashes Masterpiece!
For years, the group Pansy Division has been in some sort of artistic limbo, delivering sub-par but still mildly entertaining albums. But what a difference a change of scenery has made!

After lead singer Richard Dacey moved the band to New York, the band has suddenly acquired a clearer and more urgent sound with lyrics that are bittersweet, depressingly funny, and always piercing. It has been written that most of the album, with Dacey as the chief songwriter, was written in a trendy coffee shop in NY. This has greatly helped Dacey's writing, which is still extremely personal but now with a much needed touch of the mainstream added to the mix.

Without a shadow of a doubt, the artistic zenith of the album is reached with the song "From Manhattan to Brooklyn and back to Manhattan: Always Queer!" Dacey's lyrics have never been as powerful as when he sings, "I've lived in many an apartment, always small; But the one thing that never changes, is my love of An-al!"

Of course, as with any artistic masterpiece, and make no mistake, this will be regarded as one of the greatest albums of the millenium; "Deflowered" is filled with gems like "I Am Who I Am: Very Gay", "The Backdoor is the ONLY DOOR" and the first catchy new single off the album, "Carly was Right."

Dacey isn't the only bandmember that deserves the credit though. Aided by beating sounds of ace drummer S.D. Brandon, and the fluid cords of expert bassist Lauren, Pansy Division has turned out a towering achievement that will be regarded in the anals, (pun intended!), of rock history.

For years, lead singer and songwriter Richard Dacey has been in the closet but with "Deflowered" he finally emerges to say to an anxious audience, "This is who I am. Love it or Leave it...have I told you about this great bar in N.Y. called the Library?"

Miss this album and you'll be missing one of the most honest and gut wrenching albums ever. 4 Stars! It doesn't get much better than this.

No subtlety here (and thats a good thing)
Wow. Upon first hearing the singing voice, I thought I had made a mistake, but the lyrics kept me listening, and its since grown on me. Its not the best singing voice you'll ever hear (nor the worst), but the lyrics are sometimes hilarious, and definitely forthright.

The songs alternate between the physical and the emotional aspects of love, and they say what they have to say without regard to any prudes who may be listening. There are also a few songs aimed at youth who may be in the "questioning" stages.

If you're a straight male you may not appreciate this album much, unless you are open minded and willing to expand your horizons. But if you're not and tired of the tons and tons of hetero-oriented love albums out there, this is a breath of fresh air.

The liner notes include the lyrics, and some frank safer-sex information. They also contain brief notes from the artists about each song.

We're here, we're queer, we don't want any more bears.
So the lyrics are a bit immature at times. So they're fixated on sex. If you can handle that, and you like the Buzzcocks, the Go-Gos, the Posies, Shonen Knife or Green Day, Pansy Division might make your day. It also just might make you laugh.

Pansy Division's melodies (and Jon Ginoli's in particular) are some of the most underrated in recent years. He's a pop songwriter who is way more talented than most people (himself included) perhaps realize. He consently undersells himself with silly songs about blow jobs and penis size and underwear, but the melodies are startlingly good. And the lyrics, for what they are, are often clever and hilarious. On Deflowered, when the topics become more serious or at least less sex-obsessed, like on "Not Enough Of You To Go Around" or "Fluffy City" or "Denny", the music is undeniable. And when a relatively straight (no pun intended) song like "Kissed" throws a ridiculous line or two in three-quarters through the song, it's the best of both worlds. And all the while, the melodies shimmer, the guitars jangle, and the rhythms will send you to pogo heaven.

A few years into their career, Pansy Division decided to stop writing silly sex songs and made a brilliant, relatively dead-serious power pop album called Absurd Pop Song Romance. The kids who got off (no pun intended) on the silly songs about underwear and sex toys wanted nothing to do with it. Sad, really.

Some might want to check out The Outnumbered, Jon Ginoli's pre-Pansy Division band. The lyrics were mostly serious and put Ginoli's angst and sexual frustration on display for all to see. It is painful, beautiful and devistating in its honesty. If you enjoy(ed) '80s era pop bands like the DBs, the Bongos or early R.E.M., you may want to investigate the recently released compilation called Surveying The Damage.

Can this be anymore obnoxious?
Pansy Division are among the worst bands I've heard in a while. Don't get me wrong people, I'm not homophobic. In fact I have a few gay friends that share my opinions on these losers.They complain that Pansy Division stereotype all gay teenagers as sex hungry maniacs,not to mention the fact that they are terrible musicians and their music is highly unoriginal. They keep shoving "we're gay so we're funny" in you're face. I wouldn't even like them if they were straight and talked about annoying problems with their girlfriends. We already have the lousy Blink-182 to do that. The songs are whiny beyond compare, especially the one about remebering old boyfriends. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

FIVE-PLUS STARS!
I've seen Suzanne twice and have her first cd. However, I have never wet my pants like I wet my pants when I listened to this. It made me laugh so hard it hurt. I've made others listen to it too and everyone loves it. If you buy any comedy cd (I don't care if you're gay, straight, or whatever), THIS IS THE ONE!

The woman made me laugh off my seat!
She is funny, funky and just plain wonderful. A comedian who delivers the goods at the right time every time. Her assertive yet self depricating manner works really well and her punchlines are right on the mark. I simply love her and wish she would release a third CD. Gay or straight you wont keep yourself from laughing. This is especially true when she starts talking about her home, her girlfriend and their pets. Keep up the good work suzanne!

She's a stitch.
She's coarse; she's loud; she's incredibly funny. Have seen her in concert three times now, and this CD had material I'd never heard before. Admittedly, she's much more fun in person, but the CD still does a really good job. I've forced several of my friends to listen to her, and all but one person found her hilarious. The one exception was straight, and just didn't get it. ;)

Stress Buster
If you are under stress, you won't be after listening to this CD. Listen to it once, and you will be addicted to her hilarious sense of humor. This is her second CD, and it is as good or better than her first. Highly recommended for anyone that just wants to laugh non-stop for an hour.

Thank God she's not Cindy...
Better than her first CD, I think. We lose some of the humor by not having any visuals but she is still hilarious. Not for the gay community only... ... Read more

Reviews (2)

super
If you're familiar with the kind of music the Butchies write already, you'll love this CD. Just good riot-inciting rock with great lyrics that fit right in. The first song "Send Me You" is the catchiest and rocks hard; I've listened to it at least once a day ever since I got it, which was about two weeks ago. But all the songs, the more you listen to it, the more you like it. Definately a good buy, and the music is still in the Butchies spirit. And check out their music video for "Send Me You," it rocks. As for it being a shame about how they aren't widely recognized and given attention...well personally, I hope their popularity doesn't grow TOO much more than it has already....

My best kept secret
It's a shame and a wonder that The Butchies aren't better known or receive more recognition from the music industry that they so clearly deserve. In the meantime I'm keeping The Butchies close to my heart. There is little doubt that this punk rock trio from North Carolina is my favorite band around. I've been waiting for the release of their fourth record for a year, since they announced that they're working on a new album when they toured Chicago last April, and MAKE YR LIFE doesn't disappoint. It includes all the hypnotic and seductive rhythms we've come to expect from Kaia, Melissa and Alison and also the incredible guitar and drums. There's nothing more uplifting and satisfying than listening to MAKE YR LIFE on the way home from work. The only problem is that I hardly ever listen to the entire CD in sequential order, rather I find myself continuously hitting the rewind button to listen to the same song over and over. When a Butchies song captures your attention so strongly it's difficult to listen to any other song. Kudos to The Butchies for another spectacular release, and I sincerely hope that there's lots more in the future. Very highly recommended. ... Read more

Album Description

2003 release from San Francisco queercore band featuring 16 new tracks. Their first release since 1998's Absurd PopSong Romance. Alternative Tentacles. 2003. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fantastic Fun
This a a very fun C.D. that like the title promises delivers Total Entertainment. Like the other reviewer I had the opportuity to hear the material from this album played live and the crowd loved the new material as much as the old. What does need to be said though is that Pansy Division's C.D.S do not capture the incredible energy of the band in a live setting. Never the less, Tracks like "No Protection" and "He whipped my ass in tennis..." and the secret bonus track, are classic Pansy Division, conveying both a sense of humor and liberation that are hallmarks of the band.

Getting Old ?
Been listening to their albums and traveling to Pansy Division's concerts for 11 years now. Brought this CD, Total Entertainment within days of its release. And after 4 months of on and off listening, I have decided: No songs from this CD will be burned to a CD of favorites. At the recent concert in Atlanta, the new stuff got played, but what excited the crowd, (all 30 of us), was the older music. If Jon Ginoli hadn't announced it at the start of the concert, I doubt anyone there knew that the theme of Total Entertainment was 'sports'. The high energy and fun found on the first 6 albums is missing from this album.

I have been a fan since 1992 when I first heard Surrender Your Clothing on Undressed. Since their first release, Pansy Division has been out front announcing load and clear that their music was Rock, Roll, and Queer ("With loud guitars, we're gay and proud" from ANTHEM (sic). The liner notes from early on included not just the lyrics, but advice on how to use a condom. The songs were about being gay, the pain and the joy. Even the 'cover songs' were great fun to listen to because of the Pansy Division spin. ("Against all odds, we appear. Grew up brainwashed, but turned out queer" from Smells Like Queer Spirit.

Reading the lyrics of the songs from Total Entertainment I see the same constant issues dealt with on the other 6 albums. The problem is discovered in the listening. It all sounds over-produced and that sucks the life out of this album. Total Entertainment sounds like the last album from a band rushing towards retirement.

Don't waste money on this album, but buy all 6 of the other albums.: Undressed, Deflowered, Pile Up, Wish I'd Taken Pictures, More Lovin' From Our Oven, and Absurd Pop Song Romance. All have better music and much better album artwork. All these have songs you will want to add to your favorite listening music, unlike this dead Total Entertainment. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Pop/Jazz sound with Environmental Message
This is an unusual CD but I really like it. The majority of the album conveys an environmental or clean living message with original songwriting and good music - kind of a mixture of pop/jazz. "Green World" is especially good - " We may be dancing on the only green world". It would be a five star album but there are two songs that keep me from putting the CD into a constant rotation.

I heard "Burning Times" on Public Radio and the song was so unique I had to order the CD because I figured it would be a very long time before I ever heard it again. "Burning Times" is written from the point of view of the Wiccans and is a rather melodramatic piece about the persecution of the 'witches' in Europe. It is very unique and the musical arrangement is very good but it is a little over the top to hear over and over again after the initial novelty wears off.

The only real strike against it is that in "Nightmare", the song starts off with the sound of a civil defense siren. Good effect for the message of the song but annoying if you like to leave a CD in a constant rotation.

Still, high points (four stars) for good originality and overall sound. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

What? No Babs!
Everyone's bound to have quibbles with a collection such as this one. I would much prefer to have Mabel Mercer's version of "Ballad of the Sad Young Men," for instance (although Rod McKuen's is lovely), and I regret the absence of certain gay "standards" such as Mott the Hoople's "All the Young Dudes" and Dusty Springfield's "Quiet, Please, There's a Lady on Stage." But it's all fun, not mention educational, and I'm grateful to Marshall Blonstein and Richard Oliver for a magnificent effort, which is destined to take its place next to classics of the literature such as William J. Mann's "Behind the Screen" and "The Gay and Lesbian Literary Heritage"--not to mention the collected works of Barbara Streisand! To underscore their sense of history, the producers have included a near-100 page booklet with the 4-disc set that even features a bibliography of recommended reading and viewing. There are also generous notes on the songs and songsters, period essays, and some great photos. There are, as well, a few miscalculations, including a numerical listing of the songs in the booklet that doesn't correspond to the list on the box. The recording dates for some of the songs are given as "unknown" (where did these transfers come from?), and the dating itself (a "Cabaret" medley from the '20s?) is eccentric. But these are minor, well, quibbles, and I admire Blonstein and Oliver their daring in attempting such a project. If I may, I'd like to suggest that these gentlemen do a 4-CD set every year or so (how about an exerpt from Diamanda Galas' "Plague Mass" for the classical disc?), if only to demonstrate how un-Verboten gay music by gay musicians has become.

A Musical Time Capsule
starting out with a scratchy ditty from the roaring twenties, this excellent historical collection manages to span a variety of musical genres, from rousing broadway musical to intimate diva-wrung blues to classical orchestra. some may carp about choices, and some are obvious, there are rarities here among the cliches. this is an invaluable historical document as well as an entertaining collection of tunes. ... Read more

Album Description

This often flamboyant and irreverent actor/stand up comic is currently starring in VH1's hit series "All Access", he can be seen on the Game Show Network's "Funny Money" with Heidi Fleiss and AJ Benza, and he's in his first "Premium Blend" spot on Comedy Central. Ant was also on "Last Comic Standing", he co-hosts the "Ricki Lake Show" once a month, and he's a panelist on the hit game show, "To Tell The Truth". More than just a gay comic, Ant has mainstream success, garnering raves in Entertainment Weekly, The Hollywood Reporter, E!'s "Talk Soup", "Entertainment Tonight", Genre Magazine, Out, and The Advocate, to name a few. This CD is almost an hour of the material that made him famous. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

these pansies know how to rock!!!!!!
the inside cover is pretty nasty. this band has very catchy songs. the songs are really funny. songs like bunnies, fem in a black leather jacket, and rock and roll queer bar are poppy, catchy, and funny. they are not afraid to express there love of gay life. this band should have been as big as green day or the offspring. all the lyrics are fulled with queerness. this is a pop punk band that likes to have fun with there love for guys. pansy division is such a underated band. more people should check out this band. this is a good band.

Original queer punk-pop.
This is where commercial gay-themed punk/pop started. As a follower for years and maintainer of their web page, I believe they will always have a place in queer music history. Fantastic lyrics make it all worthwhile. Buy this CD. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Dull
Please don't think I'm a grouch for giving a comedy CD a low mark. This album just isn't as good as the reviews here praised it as. I'm a big fan of George Carlin and Margaret Cho, so maybe I'm use to more "risky" comedy. Kurt rambles on about nothing real exciting and it gets boring. This also sounds like it was recorded in a small room of about 15 people. The mike was VERY close to the crowd, and you can clearly hear their own comments. If you are unfamiliar with this commedianne you may not want to spend a lot of money on this CD.

Even Our Toothbrushes Are Evolving!
I first saw about half of Elvira Kurt's Comedy Central special while flipping channels one night, and I laughed so hard that I purchased the CD to hear the rest of it. I was not disappointed. From the state of the world's children to the lesbian butch/femme continuum, Kurt's got something to say and she's going to make us laugh while she says it.

Among the funniest moments on the CD is Kurt's impression of her mother. We all know Margaret Cho's "Morrrraaaaaan!" bit, and it's priceless, but Elvira Kurt seems to have a very...shall we say..."interesting" mother as well. There's also a hilarious snippet about her father and senior buffets at Denny's/Shoney's type places.

It's been complained that Kurt makes too big of a deal in her shows about the fact that she's a lesbian, and that it detracts from the laughter in an effort to spread a message. Well, she does have a message, that's clear -- but she's using the forum she has in comedy to spread it, and is making people laugh as she does. It's tough to make parental disappointment in a child's sexuality funny, and it's hard to joke about the trials of coming out of the closet. However, I think Elvira Kurt does a fine job. At least, my stomach thinks so. It still hurts from laughing so hard.

Hilarious... until she outs herself
Elvira Kurt is one funny woman. The playground jokes are a riot, and her entire outlook on life is refreshing and hysterical. Her "adults regressing back to childhood" is one of the funniest moments on a comedy CD I've ever listened to. I had tears streaming down my face--at work! People kept asking me if I was okay. How embarrassing.

But there is one thing that really bothers me. When Ms. Kurt tells us she's a lesbian, the show gets shot to hell. Frankly, she turns into a hypocrite, complaining that it's "still a big deal", and yet, the only reason nobody is laughing is simple: it isn't funny. Being a lesbian in and of itself is not a funny thing (Suzanne Westenhoefer recognizes this--Elvira should take note). It's only a big deal because she's making it a big deal. This does result to one priceless moment when an audience member talks back to her ("Are you telling me the truth?"). But overall, after her big revelation, the show just isn't funny anymore. My suggestion to Ms. Kurt: being a lesbian is not a big deal anymore. It's not even all that funny. Don't lean on that as your comedy base. Since you steal from Suzanne with your "amish on crack" jokes, learn why Suzanne is so wonderfully funny. Still, the CD is worth the purchase simply for the childhood recollections.

Funny, funny, funny!
Major perk - can listen to this CD repeatedly and I laugh everytime.

Kitten with Wit
I not heard the CD but i seen her on TV & i know she is great(you got to love her mother)Listen to the cd and you will understand what i mean. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Hooper CD a must for comedy fans
Having been a comedy fan for over 20 years, it is hard to find a comedy CD that makes me laugh. Maryellen Hooper is one of those rare CD's. Maryellen has an incredible sense of humor and a great sense of timing. The only flaw is that you aren't able to see her as she performs. I have seen Maryellen live several times, and not only is her humor incredible, but her facial expressions are a scream. I have listened to this CD over 20 times and I still laugh every time. If you are only going to buy one comedy album this year, I would highly recommend Maryellen Hooper's Dignity Under Duress. And if you get the opportunity to see Maryellen live, GO! After seeing her live, it brings this CD to life. From her experiences as a hairstylist, to her car accident, to meeting her boyfriends parents, this comedy show has it all. It is easy to see why Maryellen was the Female Comedian ot the Year in 1998. ... Read more

Amazon.com

You might call this gay-and-proud San Francisco combo the happy face of homocore, what with the way it couches its subtle and not-so-subtle sexual subtext in humor and punchy punk-pop riffs. Catchy enough to go over big as an opening act for Green Day's '94 arena tour and subversive enough to be hailed as gender terrorists, Jon Ginoli and company are just as effective going for the funny bone ("Pee Shy"), the heartstrings ("I Really Wanted You") and the, er, regions in between ("Dick of Death"). And no, you don't have to be gay to sing along. --David Sprague ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Another masterpiece!
Pansy Division is just the best damn gay band I've ever found; unlike most gay music, they've actually got an edge, which is sure to appeal to any queer fan of heavier music. This album has a lot of fun, catchy numbers, along with some more serious and sweet songs. It makes for a fabulous combination; every queer person should own this CD!

Unusual but Good
I have never heard a rock group do songs like this. Okay, so they're not they best singers in the world, it does not take much away from meaning of the songs. It's nice to know there is a music group being true to themselves. The music is also hard but not too hard. Pick up a copy if you can handle the uncompromising lyrics.

Pansy Division's Soft Punk Blitzlieb
The first song on this CD paints a picture of where the rest of it is headed. "[Colloquialism for 'Erotically Desirous'] in the Morning" sings of waking up engorged and wanting. This is a gay-themed, erotic but not pornographic bit of soft punk. Puerile but fun--not for homophobes or Mrs. Grundy.

The music is OK, personally, I'd rather listen to Green Day, but Pansy Division's lyrics are so much more interesting! Five stars for daring to go where most bands don't. Three stars for musical talent. Averages out to four stars.

(Click on the "about me" link above if you'd like to discuss this CD some more. Thanks!)

Songs About Me
I'm a gay man who like rock. No modern jazz. No musicals (I'm not that old). When I'm not listening to Pansy Division, I'm listening to Nirvana or Green Day or Blink-182. Pansy Division writes music in that genre with a gay twist. So: if you're straight, you might not get this. (Oh, and if you wonder why they spend so much time about being gay, do realize that when gay people listen to the radio, we hear all these songs about being straight. What is it with you people?) If you don't like rock, or stopped liking rock in the 80s, you're not going to like their songs. If you're like me, they're writing about your life too, and in the type of music you like.

This was the first Pansy Division CD I bought. Within days I had all of them. I have continued to buy them as they come out with new ones. When they next release a CD, I'll buy it too.

Thank you Pansy Division.

Do you really want to be a teenager again?
While this CD could have been written by me, or someone like me, based on my teenage year experiences, I'm content to let those years remain part of the past at this point.

There's no doubt about the energy & enthusiasm of the band here (it'a kind of refreshing to hear gay guys who sound like they're having fun just cutteing loose musically, on a CD), and I hope that the lyrics will let gay boys know that they are not 'wierd' or alone in their fellings, or fantasies, but this is not without some serious flaws as a piece of recorded music.

First, the engineering is terrible. The mix has no depth, and the band's sound changes little from song to song.

Second, the songs themselves are musically undeveloped. Most just start and stop after about 3 minutes. There are not enough tunes here with good musical progressions, hooks, rhythmic themes, or any of the other attributes which make great rock music memorable.

Third, the lyrics tend to get a bit preachy in places. But fortunately, the preachy ones are barely intelligible over the guitars.

But on the plus side, the music does capture the uneasiness and fear which confronts most gay boys (who are often lonely, and, due to the social pressure to conform, unable to express their sexuality without experiencing some backlash from classmates or others).

Also, despite its callowness as art, the CD does sound appropriately puerile to appeal to the teenage boys it's undoubtedly aimed at. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Perty Okay
I didn't like this at first, but it began to grow on me after awhile. At first it annoyed me because of the typical Ramones song structure (chorus, verse, repeat chorus ad nauseam) but as I gave it more listens I realized that the Queers were a tad more experimental in their own lowbrow-humor, volatile hardcore way in this early output by them. "We'd Have a Riot Doing Heroin," and "Love Me" are my two favorites...though the cover of MacArthur's Park is kinda neat, though a bit of novelty. I also thought the live broadcast at the end was rather redundant. The live broadcasts have roughly the same sound quality as the rest of the album and the songs are the same so it seems rather useless. Aside from that, this is okay, though I'd recommend the Queers later work for a better idea of the rest of the Queers' output.

I love this band
If you saw the Queers in 1998 and, based on their performance, want to buy one of their albums, I'd recommend getting their new one instead. This is their older (and better, in my opinion) sound when they were less pop-punk. These songs have the fast-and-simpleness of Ramones songs paired with the aggression typical of great bands like Black Flag. My fave song is "Too Many Twinkies". ... Read more