Gomez: Whippin’ Piccadilly

From the album Bring it On (1998)

The highly regarded and Mercury Prize-winning debut album by Gomez mixes a down-home sensibility with slick production values. With three husky vocalists interchanging on the lyrics, these guys can blend together some mind-bending harmonies. Put those on top of some smooth bluesy-roots-rock-with-an-English-twist and you’ve got some pretty compelling music.

Whippin’ Piccadilly is a standout track on an album of standout tracks. With carefree abandon, Gomez stitches a picture of fun-loving guys have a fun-loving day in Manchester. The title of the song, I believe, is a reference to Manchester Piccadilly station, the busiest rail station in England. It is alluded to in the lyrics as the departure point for the guys’ next destination of Sheffield.

[audio:070615WhippinPiccadilly.mp3]

What I Love: The simple strumming of the guitar and, of course, those harmonies.

whippin piccadilly at itunes store

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And for something completely different, check Petty Booka’s polynesian-style cover of Whippin’ Piccadilly.

2 thoughts on “Gomez: Whippin’ Piccadilly

  1. I’ve always wondered what the rest of Gomez’s work sounds like. I remember being instantly hooked the first time I heard “See the World.”

    Reply

    tunequest Reply:

    You know, as much as I enjoy Bring it on, I’ve never been compelled to further explore the band’s career. I’m more than content to leave it at a one-off.

    I’ve read though that the albums in the eight year span between Bring it On and How We Operate can be frustrating for fans of those albums’ sound and style.

    Reply

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