Musicality

Nelly Furtado
The Spirit Indestructible
(Interscope/Mosley Music Group)
I wish there were enough positive adjectives for describing this CD, but there just aren’t. It is lovely and gets stronger the longer you listen into the entirety of the album, unlike most albums. It’s easy to see that a lot of thought was put into every second of these nearly perfectly calculated compositions. Though some criticize Furtado for a sometimes nasally sung vocal track, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, as the saying goes. The entire experience is balanced to the point of being absurdly beautiful, especially in songs like “Enemy” and my absolute favorite “Miracles,” which is slower than the other songs, but it is an ear-gasm of pleasure. Another favorite is “Hold Up.” It is dark, sexy, and sexy. Did I mention it’s sexy? Because it’s sexy.

Grenadina
Pretend For Me
(Unsigned)
The thing I instantly noticed about the Lawrence, Kan., band Grenadina and their new E.P. was that I loved their ambiance. The dramatic atmosphere is lightly coated over the guitar’s intricate and delightfully complex melodies. If you’re looking for something simple and obvious, this isn’t it. But if you’re in the mood for a little alternative rock, with indie and hip-hop influences, these girls have what it takes and more. Their ambition is made clear in their compositions and they are still in their early days. The singer sounds best when she is belting it out like her lungs would collapse if she didn’t, and her supporting musicians don’t take the easy way out when it comes to mid-song changes and melody. Fans of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Wolfmother, Deftones, and Paramore need to venture over to grenadina.bandcamp.com and check out their seven-song E.P. My favorite songs are “Eight Up” and “Spit & Sting.”
Blaqk Audio
Bright Black Heaven
(Superball Music)
This was instant enjoyment for me. I may be biased because I am a fan of both of Davey Havok and Jade Puget’s projects, AFI and Blaqk Audio. I’m a tick embarrassed to say I’ve even seen both of them live and have been waiting for a new CD for five years. Annoying fan girl credentials aside, I encourage those who enjoy techno, pop, dance and alternative combinations to give this CD a shot. It’s a complex assortment of deeply thought-out synthesizer-heavy machines led by sometimes overdramatic vocals that are absolutely enjoyable. They are more melodic and classic techno-styled than dub-step, and it doesn’t sound like constant heavy metal breakdowns. Though I do enjoy that sometimes, this definitely isn’t that. It’s much more danceable. My favorites are “Cold War,” “Everybody’s Friends,” and “With Your Arms Around You.”
Stars
The North
(ATO Records)
The most distinguishable feature of Stars is the conversational lyrics of the male and female vocalists. The first track, “The Theory of Relativity,” instantly drew me in. It is psychedelic-funk, but with more lyrics than normal. The second track is more pop-alternative. Not my favorite but still not bad, and it sounds a little like Metric. It’s hard to describe Stars because every song sounds different. However, that is exactly what I love about them. My favorite track, “A Song Is a Weapon” is a song for the ages, if it were given the chance. It sounds like a classic in our modern world. Soft singing, intricate, delicate plucking, good melody, well-rounded. Just a fantastic song. Another favorite is “The 400” because it sounds sweet, desperate and just overwhelmingly sad. It’s clear to me they are trying to create a variety of emotions and they undeniably succeed.
WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.

The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.

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by Spectrum Medical Care Center

Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz

When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.

I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.

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Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area

Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!

Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.

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