Gomez - How We Operate

Sun 2nd Apr, 2006 in Music Reviews

Celebrating 10 years since their first gig together, Gomez have climbed a long way up the spiral staircase of rock/pop music history. On the brink of releasing their seventh album How We Operate, they are the recipients of several prestigious awards, have embarked on countless international tours, and are constantly proving themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the music community.

Loved by their mother homeland of the UK, admired by many worldwide, and more importantly, adored by many fans here in Australia, Gomez are certainly a band that are able to fill a concert hall or two. When you think of their fans, the first word that comes to mind is ‘loyal’, and the second being ‘respectful’. The reason why they have gained both of these values over the years is primarily for the fact that they reciprocate this with their audience.

Over the last year, in an attempt to sustain the long-lasting relationship with their fan base, and to also reinvent themselves across a broader realm, Gomez have made a few changes. Firstly, How We Operate is their first studio album with new alliance ATO Records (co-founded by Dave Matthews). Secondly, they chose to sacrifice their own producer credit by enlisting a fresh set of ears and their first outside producer in Gil Norton (The Pixies, Foo Fighters), who in turn, took them to cut a record in London’s infamous RAK Studios.

In contrast to their last album Split the Difference, Gomez have consciously moved away from rockier harder numbers and focused more on the melodies and lyrics with How We Operate. It translates into cohesive collection of tracks that illustrate Gomez’s deft musicianship and deep connection with each other as musicians.

The outside influence of producer Gil Norton is certainly evident here. Norton’s aim was to make a truly career defining album, and has certainly not made a mess of things. By casting a fresh eye over the band’s collaboration, and forcing the band to prepare each song via an extensive pre-production process, he has enabled the group to give an extremely refined feel to this album.

Songs Notice and Don’t Make Me Laugh act as two perfectly carved bookends to this album. Notice opens with a melodic blend of soft rhythmic guitar, subtle keyboards, and light sweeping drum movements. As the song progresses, Ian Ball’s harmonizing vocals and its climatic chorus wets our appetite for the rest of the album. In contrast, Don’t Make Me Laugh does just the opposite as the final song on the album. It appropriately allows us to wind down via a smooth transitional ballad. The overlay effect of several vocals, and a perfect blend of acoustic guitar calmly reflect a Hawaiian lullaby. You can almost feel the sun setting on an illusionary tropical island, as it leaves you with a warm giddy feeling in during the album’s final moments.

Other highlights include a powerhouse title track How We Operate, which comprises the plucking of a banjo, some deep-gutted guitar work, and the throaty vocals of one very talented Tom Gray. A rock-hearted presence is felt during All Too Much, where the crooning voice of Ben Ottowell bellows ‘You make it look so easy like you don’t even try’, which is ironic coming from a man of such immense talent. Right back at you Ottowell!

Each member of Gomez is responsible for the lyrics, score, and all that the album embodies. They all write for the album, having a vested interest in the outcome. This is not a common trait of all bands, but this is what gives Gomez a musical advantage and competitive edge.

How We Operate is full of instrumental melody and tantalizing vocals, which makes it a pleasure to listen to. Three different vocal styles, plus a calmative of great musical minds certainly aim and succeed on taking us, the audience, on an evolving journey that we only feel but privileged to be on. Ten years on, How We Operate continues to allow Gomez unique musical vision to shine bright. The loyalty and respect continues…