"A gay Boyz 2 Men? What? An out and proud barbershop a cappella group? Having been very impresed with The Flirtations' last album (after all the incarnations the group has taken to date),Men Out Loud only seem a reasonably expected slant on the idea. With the huge popularity of The Gay Men's Chorus (Los Angeles) and all of the albums and shows they have put out, Men Out Loud have not only a measuring stick, but an established venue.
The best part of a cappella groups is knowing that their albums consist of about 80% covers. Men Out Loud are no exception. The Beatles' "Yesterday" appears here making the lads sound all the more like their Boyz 2 Men comparison. West Side Story junkies can drown in yet another cover (amongst the millions already recorded) of "Somewhere." 70's disco/pop ballad "What You Won't Do," which made its reappearance a few years back with the group Go West, appears here in a much better incarnation. "Good Lovin' " also makes its way on to the platter of covers. Saturday Night Fever fans will get "More Than A Woman" in a whole new light. For all the neo-80's generation and the like, the Men produce a cover version of the grand diva of pop and repressed sexuality herself, Madonna's "Express Yourself." The disclaimer here is that unless you are a huge fan of the queen of pop's tribute to communication in relationships, Men Out Loud's arrangement is too heavy on the "Doo Whoop Whoop" to border on irritating. Regardless, how many covers of "Express Yourself" have true Madonna fans seen?
The title track is the best of the overproduced thirteen. "Sweet Enuf 2 Eat" in all of its classical 70's disco instrumentation (yes, they use instrumentation on several tracks - including "Express Yourself") and their campy and sexy lyrics is an easy hit on the local disco/dance radio station, Groove Radio 103.1 FM. Equipt with a heavy bass line (turn down your woofers when listening to this one) and well written lyrics, "Sweet Enuf 2 Eat" has all the makings of a top ten radio hit.
A collection of low baritones and sweet and clear tenors along with everything in-between, Men Out Loud has all the makings of an act that will easily survive not only in memory, but in the fickle gay markets. It's nice to see a real gay product out that is not the result of "Queering Up" some bad unknown music with skin pictures to sell to a hungry and well off community. I'm looking forward to pride festival performances. Keep an eye out this Summer! "