Gomez "A New Tide" Review
It's been a little over a week now since Gomez's latest (and sixth) studio album was released and as someone who ranks them among her top 2 bands, I feel obligated to compose some thoughts on the album as a whole. Although before I do, I have to say it sounds weird saying it's only their sixth album, as they also have a) an LP which for some reason is not included among their main albums, even though it's full-length with previously-unrecorded songs, b) a 2-disc special with more unrecorded songs than repeats, and c) a 2-disc live album with a couple unrecorded tunes there as well (gee, bet you couldn't tell I was a fan!).
Anyhoo, my thoughts on "A New Tide" are mixed, so it's appropriate that the first song is titled "Mix." I think that song actually sets a good tone for this review, because I choose to define it several ways. On the surface, it's already a double-meaning tune, as they are both mixing a record and mixing participants in a personal relationship. I'm wont to take it a step further and say it's also a metaphor for Gomez's change in overall sound over the years as they entered a more mainstream scene. And yes, as the music snob I am, I obligatorily must say that mainstream often [not always, just often] contributes to a downgrade, because the band I used to like for unique reasons now cranks out these lovely little tunes that are pleasing to the ear and not the experimental, heartfelt, addictive ballads they used to be.
This is the case with Gomez, but don't take my slight disdain for the new sound as a total rejection. This album is not bad--Gomez could NEVER be bad, to my ears anyhow. But there's something different about them, no doubt, it's just a little hard to explain. They used to have this sound that grabbed your attention. Ben Ottewell's voice, I should say, grabbed your attention. The voice was abrasive in a really good way, and it was utilized in almost every song. Ian Ball and Ben spearheaded most of the songs, with Tom throwing his voice in every so often, and the dynamic worked well for me. The number of questionably-drug-related songs only reinforces my opinion that they were a truly mellow band, so I want you to catch my full meaning when I say their last two albums have transitioned them into an even mellower band than before...
You're probably thinking 'But Kara, if they were a mellow, ambiguously-worded, indie rock band before and they're a mellower ambiguously-worded indie rock band today, aren't you just nitpicking?' and YES, I probably am, but believe me, if you listened to "Get Miles" and "Love is Better Than A Warm Trombone" and "Shot Shot" and followed up with "How We Operate" and "Airstream Driver" and "Little Pieces" I'll bet
even the unseasoned Gomez listener could tell there was a difference between 1999-2003 Gomez and 2006-present Gomez. And the first track on "A New Tide" really, as I said before, exemplifies this change, making me wonder if the title "Mix" is really a sign of them mixing their old sound with the new.
"Mix" didn't catch my attention at first but the past few days I've been stuck on it, as the shift in tone 85 seconds in sounds more like something off their early album, while the lyrics and Ian and Ben's restrained vocals are more in tune with the new sound. Hell, the whole album could signify their permanent change into the mellow, restrained band they've become. But I can only hope that Gomez, like the ever-changing tides, don't stick with this sound forever and go back to experimenting. It just feels too much like they're catering to the Grey's Anatomy crowd--producing these soft, unabrasive montage-friendly songs that just all blend together to create an unfortunately boring album. Apart from "Mix", only 3 songs stand out to me:
Track 3 "If I Ask You Nicely" -- probably the most old school Gomez manages to get on "A New Tide", a fun little ditty which I *think* is sung by Tom if I'm hearing it correctly. It could be Ian though.
Track 5 "Win Park Slope" -- a heavy tune with a neat little intro that melds seamlessly into the following track, so well that I thought it was all one song the first time I listened to it.
Track 7 "Airstream Driver" -- I have no idea what this song is about, but it's fun and catchy. I think it only stands out to me so much because it was the first single though.
But like I said, the album on a whole? Kinda boring. I just keep skipping to the songs I like without really giving much thought to the ones in between. Given more time, it's possible I will grow to appreciate the rest of the album, but to be entirely honest, their last album "How We Operate" never really grew on me that much either, apart from a few choice tracks, much like this one. I sort of see myself choosing the ones I like, and keeping the rest in reserve for a rainy day. Because honestly, if I'm feeling nostalgic for Gomez, I've got hours of older stuff to choose from, and I like Gomez circa 1999-2004 a helluva lot more.
P.S. I've already asked a few peeps, like those who like Gomez but have never been and those who have been but never heard of Gomez, and I'm trying to figure out whether or not their album cover is supposed to represent the Giant's Causeway. Here's a picture:
Thoughts, anyone?