[rating=4]
Released May 17, 2013
Italians Do It Better’s compilation After Dark 2 is a strong and welcome follow up to their 2007 predecessor.

“For a compilation as expansive as this, there are big moments that will make you smile, dance carelessly to on your own, and even have sex to.”

When love comes to town…

Scottie’s cross-border beau drops into Dublin for a surprise date.

“The evening Sun was now just right to give you a warm kiss, which is exactly what I got off my date when we met up.”

Understanding Body Image

Polari talks to Harriet Parsons of Bodywhys a national organisation that supports people affected by eating disorders and discusses whether ‘healthy lifestyle’ messages being delivered in the wrong way.

“When you really think about how central our perception of our physical selves is to how we interact with the world, we can understand why it is such an important part of our identities.”

[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.”