GrooveOut
by Chris Sill
He Loves Him (yeah, yeah, yeah)

Out and singing about it, Anthony Rapp is on his way to being the next gay icon

There is something liberating about publicly hearing a man declare his love and desire for another man ... especially when it comes in the form of song. Although gay musicians have been expressing themselves for years, their work usually lacks the essential pronoun that identifies their true feelings. We never hear mainstream gay artists like Elton John or Melissa Etheridge crooning over "him" or "her." Be it a record label’s cowardliness to allow such lyrics or the artists’ own reluctance to sing them, love songs to and from gay men and women are seldom heard. One must dig deeper to find CDs with entirely gay content. Unquestionably, the Internet has eased the search for gay and lesbian artists, while at the same time giving artists an unclogged route to distribute their own product.

Such is the case with openly gay singer/songwriter Anthony Rapp. Look Around, his first solo CD, is self-produced, self-released–and honestly and refreshingly self-explanatory. It’s quite simple really. Rapp lives his life as an out gay man and his music reflects it, pronouns and all. If Mr. Rapp’s name sounds familiar, it should. He is best known for originating the role of Mark Cohen, the narrator in Broadway’s smash hit Rent. Other Broadway credits include You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown and Precious Sons. On the screen, Rapp has played parts in films such as Road Trip, Twister, and Dazed and Confused.

With Look Around, Rapp takes a decidedly different musical course than his previous theatrical style. Here he steps into the hetero-dominated world of rock and roll. Where others may fear to tread, Rapp boldly goes with no inhibitions. "I want to create honest, open music that explores emotions and issues," he says. Rapp succeeds on many levels. Musically, Look Around covers quite a bit of territory. The opening jam "Living Alive" is nothing short of a gay rock anthem. "Human Tornado" revisits the new wave/alternative days of the early ’80s. And "Room to Breathe" floats in an acoustical bliss of guitar and cello. Relating to Rapp’s issues is something no lesbian or gay man will have difficulty with. From the guilt-ridden "Lesson Number One" to the comedic but truthful "Out Out Damn Spot," Rapp shoots straight from his queer heart and hits the bull’s eye. The sweet love song "Just Some Guy" holds all the innocence and realness that any Smiths song ever contained. Says Rapp, "The song is very gender-specific. This is a love song from one guy to another. It’s the kind of song I would have liked to hear when I was growing up."

Look Around is a significant accomplishment for an openly gay artist, one that deserves the attention and support of the community it so richly represents. Rapp is well on his way to becoming the next gay icon. He has no qualms about it either. "I think I have a responsibility to present images that break down boundaries and stereotypes," he declares. "I’m obviously of the mind that coming out is a positive choice." Liberating indeed.

Anthony Rapp’s Look Around (Paigow Productions) can be found online at http://www.disgraceland.com.