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Pansy Division's melodies (and Jon Ginoli's in particular) are some of the most underrated in recent years. He's a pop songwriter who is way more talented than most people (himself included) perhaps realize. He consently undersells himself with silly songs about blow jobs and penis size and underwear, but the melodies are startlingly good. And the lyrics, for what they are, are often clever and hilarious. On Deflowered, when the topics become more serious or at least less sex-obsessed, like on "Not Enough Of You To Go Around" or "Fluffy City" or "Denny", the music is undeniable. And when a relatively straight (no pun intended) song like "Kissed" throws a ridiculous line or two in three-quarters through the song, it's the best of both worlds. And all the while, the melodies shimmer, the guitars jangle, and the rhythms will send you to pogo heaven.

A few years into their career, Pansy Division decided to stop writing silly sex songs and made a brilliant, relatively dead-serious power pop album called Absurd Pop Song Romance. The kids who got off (no pun intended) on the silly songs about underwear and sex toys wanted nothing to do with it. Sad, really.

Some might want to check out The Outnumbered, Jon Ginoli's pre-Pansy Division band. The lyrics were mostly serious and put Ginoli's angst and sexual frustration on display for all to see. It is painful, beautiful and devistating in its honesty. If you enjoy(ed) '80s era pop bands like the DBs, the Bongos or early R.E.M., you may want to investigate the recently released compilation called Surveying The Damage.


Dacey's Pansy Division Unleashes Masterpiece!   February 25, 2003
 13 out of 17 found this review helpful

For years, the group Pansy Division has been in some sort of artistic limbo, delivering sub-par but still mildly entertaining albums. But what a difference a change of scenery has made!

After lead singer Richard Dacey moved the band to New York, the band has suddenly acquired a clearer and more urgent sound with lyrics that are bittersweet, depressingly funny, and always piercing. It has been written that most of the album, with Dacey as the chief songwriter, was written in a trendy coffee shop in NY. This has greatly helped Dacey's writing, which is still extremely personal but now with a much needed touch of the mainstream added to the mix.

Without a shadow of a doubt, the artistic zenith of the album is reached with the song "From Manhattan to Brooklyn and back to Manhattan: Always Queer!" Dacey's lyrics have never been as powerful as when he sings, "I've lived in many an apartment, always small; But the one thing that never changes, is my love of An-al!"

Of course, as with any artistic masterpiece, and make no mistake, this will be regarded as one of the greatest albums of the millenium; "Deflowered" is filled with gems like "I Am Who I Am: Very Gay", "The Backdoor is the ONLY DOOR" and the first catchy new single off the album, "Carly was Right."

Dacey isn't the only bandmember that deserves the credit though. Aided by beating sounds of ace drummer S.D. Brandon, and the fluid cords of expert bassist Lauren, Pansy Division has turned out a towering achievement that will be regarded in the anals, (pun intended!), of rock history.

For years, lead singer and songwriter Richard Dacey has been in the closet but with "Deflowered" he finally emerges to say to an anxious audience, "This is who I am. Love it or Leave it...have I told you about this great bar in N.Y. called the Library?"

Miss this album and you'll be missing one of the most honest and gut wrenching albums ever. 4 Stars! It doesn't get much better than this.


No subtlety here (and thats a good thing)   September 28, 2000
 10 out of 11 found this review helpful

Wow. Upon first hearing the singing voice, I thought I had made a mistake, but the lyrics kept me listening, and its since grown on me. Its not the best singing voice you'll ever hear (nor the worst), but the lyrics are sometimes hilarious, and definitely forthright.

The songs alternate between the physical and the emotional aspects of love, and they say what they have to say without regard to any prudes who may be listening. There are also a few songs aimed at youth who may be in the "questioning" stages.

If you're a straight male you may not appreciate this album much, unless you are open minded and willing to expand your horizons. But if you're not and tired of the tons and tons of hetero-oriented love albums out there, this is a breath of fresh air.

The liner notes include the lyrics, and some frank safer-sex information. They also contain brief notes from the artists about each song.


It's a comedy album! It's a Queer Declaration! It's Both!   November 20, 1998
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

OK, it's three cord garage band music. OK, nothing will ever live up to the charge of hearing these guys lyrics for the first time. OK, maybe they're really more the Queer equivilant of the Go-Go's than Nirvana.

What do you want? Do you want punchy, sunny, silly, and funny mosh-pit generating music or do you want Barry Manillo? These guys always have fun. That fun gets into the music. The music gets into you. Fun is not a bad thing to aim for. Especially when you're just starting out.

Deflowered caused quite a stir when it came out in 1994 and is still a great intro to what could only be called the Ramones of HOMOCORE. These guys blasted the door off the closet (and garage).

For best enjoyment, listen at bone-breaking levels with as many twisted friends as you can corral. Or just take the time to relish the subversive lyrics.

Remember, Paul Lynde (on the old Hollywood Squares) when asked what Tonto called the Lone Ranger answered: "Beloved!" Paul is probably sitting up on some puffy pink cloud and giggling that we have Pansy Division -- and that we can all get Deflowered.


Unusual but Good   February 24, 2004
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Finally, not just a rock group but a group that's not afraid to sing about their expriences with the same sex. I like that they are unsubtle with their songs and why should they be. If you are adventurous enough, check it out, you may like it.