Pansy Division Albums (8)
'That's So Gay'
Release Date 3/31/2009
Tracks 14
Label Alternative Tentacles
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What The Critics Say
Pansy Division is still here, still queer, so by now you're probably used to their uniquely effeminate take on punk rock. After a six-year hiatus, their eighth studio album, That's So Gay, finds the staples of queercore in their comfort zone, blatantly exploring topics like closet homosexuality by way of bathroom grafitti ("Obsessed with Me"), highschool quarterback lust ("Pat Me on the Ass"), and the moral dilemmas of dating a male prostitute ("It's Just a Job.") For those starting to tire of their endless double entendres and two favorite points of reference -- explicitly spun tales of sex, and plights of homophobia -- there are some departures, if only slight departures from their usual bag. "Some of My Best Friends" is the first original Pansy Division song with lyrics written by a heterosexual (this time dealing with the hatred of homophobic behavior from a straight guy's perspective), iconic punker and Dead Kennedy Jello Biafra takes a turn singing vocals on "Average Man" (a slam on the blue collar-types who bestow prejudice), and they take a long, hard look at their illustrious career with "20 Years of Cock" reminiscing fondly, "Well yeah I'm aging but I'm still raging/I'm getting grayer but feeling gayer." ~ Jason Lymangrover, All Music Guide
'Total Entertainment!'
Release Date 8/12/2003
Tracks 15
Label Alternative Tentacles
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What The Critics Say
The kings of queercore return with a collection of heartfelt love tunes and hilarious send-ups that eschew simple pop-punk for crunchy power pop (the bouncy and bittersweet "Spiral," for example). The album marks a return to the band's upbeat form after the more serious Absurd Pop Song Romance. Pansy Division has always been especially adept at clever lyrics and Total Entertainment! is no exception, from the laugh-out-loud "Blurry Down Below" ("Woke up this morning and I was pixeled out,") to the wry "Saddest Song" ("Why do I feel so stupid if I'm so damn smart?"). They've also got a knack for new wave (like the vocodered "No Protection") and Pixies punk (like the dark and grinding "Alpine Skiing" -- and if you don't know what that euphemism means, well, you'll just have to either think about it for a few minutes or listen to the song). Pansy Division may still offend conservative sensibilities, but Total Entertainment! is exactly what the title says -- not necessarily the most innovative album of the year but definitely one of the funniest and most fun. ~ Charles Spano, All Music Guide
'Absurd Pop Song Romance'
Release Date 9/8/1998
Tracks 19
Label Lookout
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What The Critics Say
Right from the top, Absurd Pop Song Romance conveys a sense that Pansy Division has evolved from its early days of no-holds-barred homocore. The first track is a brief, eerie sound sample, immediately followed by "February 17" -- a track with all the upbeat rock power of previous albums, but with a decidedly more serious, frustrated tone. On the other hand, the next track, "Sweet Insecurity," reverts to a happy, mellow pop/rock beat with sweet, self-doubting lyrics. The album proceeds to deftly flex various stylistic muscles, from anthemic rock riffs that pulse forward, to the simple power-chord pop-punk the band is renowned for. These shifts are something Pansy Division has proven to have a great talent for on its singles collections, but has not always used to full effect on its full-length albums. There is a notable movement away from predominantly sex- and queer-focused lyrics on Absurd Pop Song Romance, but singer/guitarist Jon Ginoli's earnest and humorous approach to subjects is retained in full, whether the tone is cynical or celebratory. All told, the album shows maturity of style while remaining true to Pansy Division's roots -- fun, honest, catchy, and energetic. ~ Michelle Cross, All Music Guide
'More Lovin' From Our Oven'
Release Date 6/2/1998
Tracks 21
Label Lookout
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What The Critics Say
More Lovin' From Our Oven, the second compilation of singles and rarities from homocore punks Pansy Division, proves once again that their non-album efforts are just as vital and exciting as their full-lengths. This collection features more alternative versions of album songs than the first compilation, (^Pile Up), but the Pansies make it worthwhile by choosing unique renditions -- "Fem in a Black Leather Jacket" and "The Story So Far" are pulled from frontman Jon Ginoli's pre-Pansy cassette demo, while "The Summer You Let Your Hair Grow Out" and "Negative Queen" are creatively reworked without the predictable jangle of Ginoli's electric guitar. There's no shortage of eclectic cover tunes this time around, as the band tinkers with songs by '70s anthem rockers Kiss ("Sweet Pain") and Judas Priest ("Breaking the Law"), as well as indie rock girl trio Maow and new wave singer Josie Cotton. As with Pile Up, the collection is impressively cohesive as Pansy Division toys with a larger variety of styles and tempos, maintaining a firm grip on the endearing and energetic pop-rock-punk sound that has always set the band apart from its Lookout counterparts. ~ Michelle Cross, All Music Guide
'Wish I'd Taken Pictures'
Release Date 2/13/1996
Tracks 14
Label Lookout
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What The Critics Say
Pansy Division's third studio album was to a certain extent more of the same; it's little surprise, in retrospect, that the group went for such a notable leap forward musically and otherwise with Absurd Pop Song Romance in later years. That said, Wish I'd Taken Pictures isn't a bad album by any means -- it's got more of a strong punk kick than Deflowered, helped in part by Dustin Donaldson's turn on the drum kit and tighter riffs from Jon Ginoli and Chris Freeman. Songs like "Vanilla" and "Pee Shy" capture a perfect, classic Ramones style of volume plus a melody that's better than the band had done before, while individual moments hint at the burning aggression yet to come, such the death-guitar drone and distorted singing on "Expiration Date." Still, the disc just won't be that much of a surprise to anyone familiar with the band's earlier work -- the real kickers can be found in Ginoli's increasing range of lyrical reflections on the ups and, much more often, the downs of life, romantic and otherwise. Songs like the exquisitely poignant "I Really Wanted You," directed to a past love settled into a heterosexual marriage, and the Freeman-sung "This Is Your Life," reflecting on maintaining identity in a relationship when the other person has everything planned out, capture Ginoli's skill beautifully. "The Summer You Let Your Hair Grow Out" is perhaps the best of the bunch on that front, an enjoyable acoustic guitar/electric bass rave-up with Ginoli deftly touching on questions of whether or not love might be in the air. Freeman once again gets a humorous moment of glory with the hilarious and fun tale of lust "Dick of Death," which covers the situation where, as the liner notes say, "sometimes bigger is better." ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
1995's Pile Up is a collection of singles, B-sides, compilation cuts and rare tracks. It's some of the best of the Pansies, with a slew of covers and their best harmonies and tightest playing to date. Fast in danger of becoming a one-joke band, the Pansies will have to mature significantly lyrically and musically to expand their audience base, to become ear-teasers as well as dick-teasers. Our ears will be pricked. ~ Will Grega, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Having already made a noteworthy splash with their debut, Pansy Division -- still searching for a permanent drummer, with Liam Hart doing the duties on this effort -- followed it up with Deflowered, another collection of wry, silly, and heartfelt takes on love and life among gay men and boys. Song titles like the Chris Freeman-sung "James Bondage," "Rachbottomoff," and "Beercan Boy" -- the latter about a guy favored by nature not so much with length as with girth -- show that their frank sense of humor hadn't gone anywhere. Musically speaking, Pansy Division here aren't so much punk as enjoyable enough power pop with a flash of metal stomp here and there, with Jon Ginoli's engagingly nerdish voice obviously betraying his love of Pete Shelley (which, among other things, explains the fierce and fun cover of "Homosapien" that concludes the CD). His guitar playing, in general, is engaging rather than rampaging and his harmonizing with Freeman is sweetly enjoyable (check out "Groovy Underwear") -- even quicker clips like "Anonymous" are active but not knock-the-walls-down explosive. That song, along with a number of others, gives a hint as to where things would go in the future with the band. The sense of loss and regret started to step forward with tales about feeling lost and desperately alone in a small town ("Deep Water") and suffering in the age of AIDS ("Denny," with a perversely chippy melody), as well as the general romantic angst of "Not Enough of You to Go Around." A winning version (with gender changed) of Jonathan Richman's "A Song of Remembrance for Old Boyfriends" fits in perfectly with the general mood. But for all that, there are hilarious slams like "Fluffy City," a portrait of L.A.'s mainstream gay/club scene with one sharp putdown after another, and the says-it-all "Negative Queen" ("He thinks he's Oscar Wilde, but he's Paul Lynde"). ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
These sex punks tunefully and loudly wag their penises and preferences about. The most successful track here is a departure for the band, The Byrds-influenced "Boyfriend Wanted." ~ Will Grega, All Music Guide
