[rating=3]
370 pages • Max Fincher • 30 December, 2012 [PB]

Tim Bennett-Goodman found Fincher’s gay historical thriller thoroughly entertaining – an emotionally and intellectually engaging read.

“Set amongst the metropolitan circle of artists, collectors and cognoscenti of the early-19th century, this novel is not only obviously well-researched but it is also complex, intriguing and ingenious.”

Rite of Spring Centenary.

Michael Langan talks to the dancer Paul White about the highly anticipated UK premiere of Meryl Tankard’s The Oracle at the Southbank Centre.

” I would say however, that the freedom I have around sexuality influences how uninhibited I can be in my physicality, and possibly allows for an openness in my creativity.”

Gay Scouts, Yes, Gay Scoutmasters, No.

Walter Beck looks at the path to the recent vote by the Boy Scouts of America leadership on the issue of allowing gay scouts into the ranks, and how its compromise is not a solution but a stop-gap.

“What are they going to do when the kid who is gay earns his Eagle and turns 18? Are they just going to tell him, ‘Well you reached the peak, you’re an Eagle Scout, congratulations, now get the hell out of here, you’re no longer welcome’?”

Across the Border.

Scottie ends up in a cross-border romance.

“I’m not exactly afraid of people knowing I’m on a date with a guy, but I don’t think anyone likes to make their first date a public performance.”

The Multi-Dimensional Sound.

Jonna Lee talks about the development of online multimedia sensation iamamiwhoami, and what that means to the evolution of music in the digital age.

“Experiencing sound isn’t one dimensional for me. I strive to capture and procure the entirety of it. Not only by putting vision onto sound, but to mould them together. The way we release our work is in a way that gives us room to do this.”

[rating=5]
Released May 17, 2013
Love Lust Faith + Dreams: an amazing concept album full of killer pop hooks, flawless production and single after single.

“Thirty Seconds To Mars take me back to a time when art and music weren’t separate, when albums were entire concepts, instead of a rush-released quick-buck for a corporate record company. “

[rating=4]
Released May 20, 2013
Is the much hyped Random Access Memories the album we have been lead to believe it is?

“The melancholy on this album beautifully articulates how I feel most of the time as a human being, and allows me to empathise in a way I very rarely get to.”

[rating=4]
Released 1979
Teenage Jesus and the Jerks’ self titled 1979 EP broke new ground on what was and wasn’t music.

“This was violent, abrasive, a primal scream in the face of the dying original punk scene and a fuck you to the artsy arrogant post-punk movement that was beginning to spawn. “

The King of Dynamation!

In this Polari Magazine special, Clementine the Living Fashion Doll celebrates the life and work of Ray Harryhausen.

“Ray brought pleasure to millions with just a few inches of rubber, and there aren’t many men who say that.”

[rating=4]
Released April 5, 2013
James Blake’s second album, Overgrown, is not only better than his first, “it’s A MILLION TIMES BETTER” says Little Bastard, who is no stranger to hyperbole.

“This is one of the most overtly beautiful albums I have ever heard. Dark and haunting, light and euphoric, chilled but with moments of pumping energy, it covers a range if styles and emotions whilst still managing to feel cohesive as s body of work.”