They obviously have a lot to say and do just that in their own Gomez way: Since their gestation, Ben Ottewell, Ian Ball, and Tom Gray have all been passing the baton on different songs. Despite three very different tenors, they created a signature sound regardless of who was singing on any single track. This equal opportunity approach between the three guitarists lets the band members reach into a personal reservoir of musical styles – sometimes sounding as deep and heavy as Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) or Scott Stapp (formerly Creed), other times cheerful and happy-go-lucky tones reflect the sixties Southern California feel.
Communal music in every sense of the word – all five band members are songwriters, as well. The result is an amalgamation ranging from sixties soul to seventies funk, part Brit-pop and part electronica. Throw in a little American blues and roots and you’ve got one organic original– Gomez. How We Operate was released in May 2006. The album’s title track made it on the U.S. map when featured in the Grey’s Anatomy episode, “Deterioration of the Fight or Flight Response.” There is a certain similarity to the Foo Fighters in the composition of this song in both the chorus and bridges. Like Dave Grohl, Ben Ottewell’s deep, edgy voice can range from a roar to a tender whisper.
On the other end of the spectrum is “Girlshapedlovedrug”. Your typical So-Cal single—“sunshine-and-lollipops” kind of tune sung by Ball. With all the UK-So-Cal bands out there today, it’s easy to understand how Gomez can mistakenly fall into this category with a melody like this. As much as I have indulged in the So-Cal sounds of today, (perhaps overdosed) this is the album’s least interesting song; the majority of the other tracks offer much more depth.
“Chasing Ghosts With Alcohol” starts out simmeringly southern but bridges into an intense guitar-laden tune with blissful harmonies. Somehow it weaves itself perfectly back into the country road it began on…quite beautiful in its lyrical style. “Tear Your Love Apart” opens with Ben slowly belting out his bluesy baritones and transforms unexpectedly into a synchronized chorus with Gray and Ball — reminiscent of the psychedelic sixties...right down to the keyboards.
Article comments
1 - anita glick
hey jo~ Got it! It is really excellent. This is not easy to do. Great detail. I'm assuming that you do some research and then weave it together? Thanks for sharing and keep on keeping on:))
Love, ABG
2 - joanne
Thank you, ABG! I appreciate the read! Rusty missed out on us...
3 - Connie Phillips
This article has been placed at the Advance.net websites, a site affiliated with about 12 newspapers.
One such site is here.