Gomez - Kentish Town Forum, London - 5/5/09
3/5
By: Matt Tomiak
Despite their shock Mercury Music Prize victory eleven years ago, Gomez have never really resembled bona fide rock royalty. Their dogged cultivation of an unglamorous, eternal-student image has ensured the members of the hirsute Scouse fiveseome appear like they'd be more at home discussing PhD funding or presiding over an awkward undergrad seminar than fashioning their now trademark pop-laced, rootsy, bluesy stomp. They've endured a largely indifferent public response since debut Bring It On claimed that Mercury gong back in '98, but it hasn't dulled their ramshackle charm.
A woozily anthemic 'Rhythm & Blues Alibi' proves they were pulling the same tricks as Kings of Leon almost a decade ago; 2006's 'Girlshapedlovedrug' ranks as one of the great lost indie-rock pearls, even if it does sound quite a lot like (apologies here to younger readers) post-Britpop also-rans The Supernaturals.
Come the Proustian rush inspired by 'Whippin' Piccadilly', that Beck-inspired ode Uni-era hi-jinks can't be denied. Perennial college boys they may be, but Gomez remain as resolutely enjoyable as that first mid afternoon pint down the Union during Happy Hour. Cheers!
Artists in this article: Gomez
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