JMG Top Ten For 2014

For the second year in a row, my favorite track of the year is by out and openly HIV+ singer/songwriter John Grant, whose collaboration with Hercules & Love Affair spawned a gorgeous modern dance video interpretation of Grant's tale of coming out positive to a lover. Culled from my Spotify playlists, here's my top ten for 2014.

1. John Grant - I Try To Talk To You
2. The 2 Bears - Not This Time
3. Duke Dumont - I Got U
4. Perfume Genius - Queen
5. Royksopp & Robyn - Monument
6. SBTRKT - New Dorp, New York
7. Clean Bandit - Rather Be
8. Dave Aude w/Andy Bell - Aftermath
9. Le1f - Boom
10. Bright Light Bright Light - I Believe

My 2013 list is here, my 2012 list is here. Let us know what your favorites for 2014 have been.

MORE FAVORITES:
Sufjan Stevens - A Little Lost
Erasure - Elevation
Aphex Twin - Minipops 67

Out Magazine Unveils 2014 Out 100 List

Out Magazine has unveiled this year's Out 100 list. The 2014 ranking features Buzzfeed's Chris Geidner (seated above) and New York Times writer Josh Barro (third from left.) Others on the list are Dan Savage, Larry Kramer, Andy Bell, Armistead Maupin, Jason Collins, Richard Chamberlain, Carmen Carrera, and the cast of Looking.  See the full list.

Andy Bell: Torsten, The Bareback Saint

This week Erasure frontman Andy Bell released his fourth solo album, which carries the provocative title Torsten, The Bareback Saint. Reviewers are raving about the album's unusual premise.

This album, to be performed live at the Edinburgh Festival from 5-16 August, is possibly Bell’s finest vocal outing. Strong and well-tuned, his voice is nothing short of superb and the songs, written by Barney Ashton (lyrics) and Christopher Frost & Simon Bayliss (music), are perfect for him. Where Torsten excels and succeeds is in his ability for each track to be heard individually and to still sound relevant. Torsten is currently 108 years old, sort of. A polysexual teenager throughout most of his life he has a vibrant body with the mind of a withering soul. The tale of this Dorian Gray-esque character sees his many lovers, male and female, slowly abandon him and die.  It can be crude at times, but that is often a strength as Torsten recalls various scenarios from his past. Although tracks such as Freshly Buggered, Vagina and Mobile Fucked are renamed or shortened for the track listing it takes nothing away from the power and feeling behind the tale. Fountain Of Youth sees Bell in fine fettle as he co-habits with a prostitute until she leaves on Torsten’s motorbike. As I Prepare To Take My Life is a heart-wrenching album closer and This Gay Thing Isn’t Working sees Torsten battle with his sexuality. Torsten The Bareback Saint is as ground-breaking as it is entertaining and a remarkable piece of work.

Yesterday the Herald Scotsman published a quite revealing interview with Bell about living with HIV and his 30 years in Erasure, whose next album, The Violet Flame, will be released next month. Erasure's US tour launches in Miami on September 12th and concludes at Terminal 5 in New York City on December 30th and 31st. Below is a clip from Torsten.

RELATED: This week Bell tops Billboard's dance chart with his collaboration with producer Dave Aude. The single, which was the most-heard track at this year's Bear Week, is Bell's first US #1 since Erasure topped the same chart in 2005 with Breathe.

Erasure Previews New Album

Erasure has released the below teaser for their coming album, The Violet Flame, which will be released in September. There are no NYC dates on the supporting tour, but the duo will play DC, Boston, and Atlantic City. The Violet Flame will be their 16th studio album, not counting compilations, EPs, and greatest hits packages. To date Erasure has charted 26 singles in the UK's Top 20. In the US they've landed three hits on the pop Top 20 and 16 of their releases have gone Top 10 on the dance chart.

UPDATE: JMG reader John points out that Erasure does have two NYC dates at the very end of the year. Terminal 5 on December 30th and 31st.

Dave Aude Feat. Andy Bell - Aftermath

HomoQuotable - Andy Bell

"When I was tested for the second time and found out I was HIV positive, I thought my world was going to collapse and cave in but thankfully this test actually saved my life. The sooner you find out whether you are positive (or negative), the sooner you can start your combination therapy and get the virus under control and live your life normally." - Erasure vocalist Andy Bell, speaking in support of Britain's National HIV Testing Week. Bell learned he is HIV+ in 1998.

Erasure - Gaudete

ET Online has a review:

Created in collaboration between Erasure's Andy Bell and Vince Clarke with Martin Meunier -- whose work includes Tim Burton's James and the Giant Peach and 2009's Coraline -- the stop animation video has a very Nightmare Before Christmas feel fitting for the season, which fans of Burton's dark and quirky style are sure to love. The first single Gaudete is Erasure's take on the traditional Latin carol, which many will recognize after Steeleye Span's version in the early 70s.

Erasure's holiday album, Snow Globe, is out November 11th.