Urban, Gay 30-Something? Metrosource might be for you
Written: Jan 07 '04
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Good magazine for 30-something urban gay men
Cons: Not much to offer for anyone else, including other gay men
The Bottom Line: This magazine is geared towards the urban, 30-something gay man who is wrapped up in that lifestyle
|
|
|
| jps246's Full Review: Metrosource |
Designed with the metro-gay guy in mind, Metrosource is an entertaining read at times, but often finds itself so immersed in that lifestyle that it may not be of much interest to anyone but a 30-something gay manhattanite.
Published only five times a year, Metrosource is directly aimed at the successful 30-something gay urban market. Articles tend to focus on fashion, exotic travel, celebrity issues and other similar topics. If you are looking for hard-hitting journalism or groundbreaking stories, you are going to have to look elsewhere.
The Details on Metrosource
A one-year subscription (5-issues) will cost $16.95 and a two-year subscription to Metrosource will cost you $31.95. The magazine is definitely not inexpensive, considering that most monthly magazine subscriptions will run you about the same cost and with Metrosource, you’re only get half the number of magazines. Should you want to pick up an issue on the newsstand, Metrosource sells for $4.95.
Usually clocking in at about 70 to 80 pages, Metrosource is also not the largest magazine out there, especially considering its reduced publication schedule. Each issue is made up of two main sections, the Contents and the Departments.
The Contents includes the cover stories along with a few other various articles or stories. In the December 03/January 04 issue, Metrosource profiles the “People We Love,” takes a look at the soon to be ending Sex in the City series on HBO, and provides a holiday gift guide for those looking for the ultimate in gift giving.
The Departments portion of Metrosource contains most of the magazine and includes the Noteworthy section, a group of various small sections on travel, the theater, popular culture, film, books and music to name a few. This is followed by Interiors, focusing on various topics in interior design; Spirits, a look at various cocktails; Grooming – the requisite look at body care; Artscope which is a look at the current art scene; the Travelscope which profiles various fabulous destinations; Health (self-explaining I believe); and finally Last Call which is generally an interview with an up and coming star or other similar interviews and/or columns.
Advertisements in Metrosource are sparse and may be one of the causes of the reduced publication schedule and the high cost. This however is a welcome change from most magazines where you can’t flip the page without coming across three different advertisements. The ones that are in the magazine are generally from higher-end companies and generally focus on fashion, liquor and travel.
So who should get this?
Anyone other than gay men will likely find little of interest in this magazine. Perhaps some straight city girls mike like it and a straight guy or two looking for grooming tips (come on, we know the Queer Eye guys can’t get to every straight guy) might find some information helpful. However, in general this magazine is geared towards the urban, 30-something gay man who is wrapped up in that lifestyle. You probably would have plenty of disposable income, may or may not have a partner, probably have a good job and plenty of free time to enjoy the finer things in life. If this sounds like you, then you might enjoy Metrosource, if it isn’t, then you might want to look elsewhere for your gay lifestyle magazine.
My Feelings on Metrosource
Coming from what could be called a “country” background and now living in a metropolitan environment, I find magazines like Metrosource a bit incredulous but entertaining at the same time (call it a split personality). I know people who are the demographic of this magazine – men who have never left the confines of a city to venture out into the great unknowns of suburbia and beyond. These men live for the urban gay cultural ideal. They have to use every beauty and health product to look their best, have the newest and most fashionable clothes, stock their liquor cabinets with the finest blends, have the fanciest watches, and if they have one, have the best car and so on. I can’t say that I’m like that and I can’t say that I get too wrapped up in the urban lifestyle. I’m much more content hiking out in the mountains or just getting to and from work in the city to care much more about the details of urban living. Yes I like Sex in the City and wish I could have a fabulous New York City life like they do, but I’m not hung up on it.
Some of the articles interest me speaking of Sex in the City and occasionally the music, movie and travel sections are interesting (and sometimes even useful in making choices). In general though, Metrosource glorifies and profiles a culture that I’m not part of and probably wouldn’t ever really enjoy being part of.
That doesn’t stop me from reading Metrosource occasionally. However, the high price of the magazine, its limited production schedule, and the fact that I am only occasionally interested in its topics, does keep me from getting a subscription. When some stories on the cover grab me, I will pick up an issue, otherwise I take those gay dollars elsewhere.
Other Gay & Lesbian Themed Reviews
Magazines, Newspapers and Books
Instinct Magazine / Genre Magazine / Out In The Mountains / The Advocate / Love Makes a Family / XY Magazine / Out Magazine / The Gay Guys Guide to Life / Gay Guy's Guide to Love / 501 Great Things About Being Gay
Music & Movies
Work OUT (Dance Music) / Lie Down With Dogs (movie)
Writings
Finding Your Pride / Massachusetts Leads the Country In the Right Direction / Gay Marriage in Massachusetts - an Update
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.