. . .and while you're at it get all of Gomez' stuff. Jesus they are one truly amazing band--three kickass vocalists, Ben Ottewell, Tom Gray and Ian Ball, who all play wonderfully quirky guitar to great effect, and then there's exceptional bass by Paul Blackburn and drums by Ollie Peacock. Their lyrics and arrangements are almost surreal, evoking a transplendent quality that points up their Beatles/Stones/Kinks/Who influences, while at the same time somehow establishing their sound as totally original. That they are not megastars is not only a true shame but it is also a sad commentary on what I think is the abysmal state of radio and the music industry in general.
Gomez has a wonderful sound that I can listen to often. There are several tracks on this album that beg to be listened to over and over again. This is one of my driving cds that I keep in my truck. Buy this cd and any other Gomez cds you can get your hands on.
Gomez's creativity and breadth of material is stunning and amazing. They tackle all kinds of music, using their odd instrumentation, gimicks and noises, but it all remains pleasantly listenable and mesmerizing. And unless you catch of couple of lyric phrases that identify them as from the UK, you'd swear they are straight from Laredo, TX or San Diego!!
The "rarities" cuts on these two discs show an even broader picture of the music that is Gomez, and you can also get a good sense of the individual styles and contributions of the three extrodinary writers/singers/guitarists that are Ben Otwell, Ian Ball, and Tom Gray. And the rest of the band contribute the perfect necessary rhythm and percussion foundation to carry the whole package.
If you are like me, and you are always wanting to hear something OTHER than the top-40 pop junk that is radio today, then this CD (and "Abandonded Shopping Trolly") is for you!