Gomez
Liquid Skin
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For $11.98

Liquid Skin, the sophomore effort from English five-piece Gomez, has the feel of a basement jam session amongst five very talented and slightly inebriated friends. Songs periodically break down into what seems like aimless Phish-like jamming, only to return to the song in unison as if the entire thing was written that way. Similarly, lyrics walk the line between nonsense and psychedelic poetry, never letting on as to which is which and if it even matters. "She waters down the rain when I get home," is repeated on "Hangover" until you're convinced of its deep emotional meaning. By the time you realize it means absolutely nothing, it's too late -- you've been singing it all day and everyone thinks you're insane.

Although the album demands more than a few thorough listens before it can be fully digested, singer Ben Ottewell's voice stands out from the rich musical textures. His voice is laced with pain, sorrow, and regret and you can sense it right away. Within the first two minutes of the first track -- the aforementioned "Hangover" -- Ottewell's booming delivery has taken center stage. While Ottewell shares the mic with band mates Ian Ball and Tom Gray throughout Liquid Skin, his Eddie Vedder-meets-Leadbelly delivery sets him apart from any of his modern rock contemporaries.

The band's list of influences is long and varied. In fact, it seems like the members of Gomez were influenced more by genres of music than by a few specific bands. While some bands get off on Zeppelin, Gomez seems to be moved by everything from Muddy Waters to The Black Crowes. And while their British counterparts had Abbey Road on the CD player, Gomez was listening to the 1960s as if the entire decade was a four-disc box set.

Ball takes over lead vocals for the final -- and strongest -- track, "The Devil Will Ride." Other highlights include the art-rocker "California" and "Rhythm and Blues Alibi," which features both Ball and Ottewell on lead vocals.

Don't try to wrap your mind around the music on Liquid Skin -- it's too complex, diverse, and, at times, frustrating. Don't attempt to figure out if the band's sound is art-folk rock or psychedelic blues. You'll never figure it out because the music is just too deep. Just enjoy it for what it is -- a great new band drawing on a fabulous array of influences.

Gomez opens for Ben Harper by the Groupie

Los Angeles-February 26, 2000. Gomez opens for Ben Harper at the Universal Amphitheater. Yet another day of rain in LA this winter didn't dampen the vibe of this awesome show. Tickets were being exchanged at the gate for pit tickets - the 20 somethings were burnin' to shine. Most folks seemed to actually be more familiar with Gomez than the native Los Angelino Ben Harper. At that point, "Steal My Kisses" by Harper had not yet blown up on the radio. A la tinseltown, backstage was dotted with actors like the guy from Party of Five and the lead dude from Broadway's Cabaret. The band was roped off near the bar patiently greeting the press and pounding back the cocktails. Gomez's dynamic live performance surpasses what was captured on the record. So, definitely add this band to your GO SEE list.

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