|
Gomez’s
newest release challenges musical horizons Don’t let the name throw you. Gomez is not a Mariachi band. Quite far from any Spanish connotation their name might suggest, they are an experimental rock band from England. With their third release, “In Our Gun,” Gomez holds true to the experimental band ethic of not bothering with any rules when it comes to their music. A Radiohead rip-off they are not. The title track is one of the most listener-friendly tracks on the album. It begins with the light strumming of an acoustic guitar and maintains that mellow presence throughout the song. The guitar solos are tastefully placed so as not to interfere with the vocal harmonies which effortlessly ease over the music in a near perfect cohesion. One interesting aspect of Gomez’s music is their tendency to begin a song simply with a single guitar and light vocals and then build not toward a distortion-laden climax, but toward experimental rhythms and sounds. The title track is a good example of this, as it starts so lightly, but then moves into a techno drum beat with experimental sounds and grooves by the end of the track. The band’s true musicianship is displayed on this song, as they keep the same instrumental melodies of the song intact, though laid over an entirely different beat and tempo. With the probable exception of the diehard Gomez fan, “In Our Gun” is not an instantly listener-friendly album on first listen, but by the second or third time, the album really begins to grow and take shape. The wide array of experimental sounds and the transitions from near-folk music into full-blown electronica are unnerving at first, but the band’s originality and mastery of their own sound shine through as one becomes more acquainted with the tracks. Gomez isn’t afraid to do things a little differently and this is very rewarding for the person who gives the album a thorough listen and keeps an open mind when the music turns in a completely unexpected direction. The band attains intensity in their music without the screaming and loud guitars that dominate much of radio today. Strategically placed guitar and lyrical parts, combined with the experimental effects and rhythms provide for a modernized psychedelic experience. Gomez strives to continually keep the listener on edge and uncertain about what to expect, yet there are similarities in style to other bands at certain points on the album. The opening track, and first single, “Shot Shot,” starts off sounding vaguely similar to Dave Matthews Band through use of horns over a strong rhythm section. Certain points on the album might also be identified as sounding like Beck or Radiohead, but as both of these artists create such diverse and experimental music themselves, it would be expected that their music cross paths with Gomez from time to time. For the Nickelback and Sum 41 fans, “In Our Gun” might not be the album for everyday listening. But for those who like to venture into less mainstream music, Gomez has created an album to challenge the listener’s musical horizons. Jeff
Dennis |
|
|
TCU Daily Skiff © 2002 |
||