CD review: A New Tide - Gomez

GOOD FORM: Gomez' new album will keep fans happy, if not ecstatic.

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OPINION: The past few years have been a bit flat for Gomez after the initial highs of winning the Mercury Music Prize award and the ongoing expectation that everything they put their name to would glitter, like their 1997 debut Bring It On.

That's not to say the five mates who met at Sheffield University have lost the plot or compromised their art for  commercial success. Far from it. 

Rather, they have continued to meander along and explore the depths of rootsy rock, tinged with psychedelic flavours and bluesy-folk moments.

And so it is again with A New Tide where, at its heart, is the interplay of Ian Bell and Ben Ottewell's lush vocals on a deliberately laid-back album of handsomely textured  songs.

But while the album title hints at new beginnings, it is business as usual, as Gomez  again play it safe, eschewing the grit and grim in favour of mature  ballads with complex structures. 

There's a crescendo to songs like Little Pieces, where Gomez skilfully build to a roaring climax, as Ottewell's rasp explodes on this  cautionary tale.

The same goes for Airstream Driver, a churning swamp-rock number that the  Beta Band could have written in their prime.

Elsewhere, it's all clean harmonies and a change to a gentler finger-picking mood, as on Win Park Slope, Bone Tired and the sweet ballad Natural Reaction.

Ultimately, you can't grizzle at Gomez's craftsmanship. Opener Mix is a return to  the past, as an acoustic guitar is augmented by the psychedelic  ravings of another guitar on a catchy track that you'd be happy  to play on any road trip.

It will keep fans happy, if not ecstatic.

* What do you think of A New Tide? Post your comments below.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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nige   #2   07:43 pm May 03 2009

Loving the album as well - lotsa good new albums out at the moment so it was a big call to go one with this one (budget only stretches so far). Overall I think this album is more consistent in mood and quality than their last, thanks for reviewing it - since Channel Z died Gomez is not the kinda band you'll hear on the radio.

Tanya   #1   03:25 pm Apr 28 2009

I LOVE the song Little Pieces. Ben ottewell's voice is amazing. I am loving the album so far.