gomez

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.

Gomez – Bring It On: Brits with the blues

beware the ides of march indeed. today’s showing is a rather pitiful 16 songs. That’s just one complete album and a handful of live Soul Coughing tracks.

  • gomez [bring it on]

So it was a short day, but a quality one. One that answers the question "what do brits do when they get the blues?" the answer is "Bring It On." Sporting a trio of soulful vocalists and a basket full of catchy hooks, Gomez puts out some tight music, particularly for a debut album. This is what southern rock might sound like if it were more laid-back and british. Hat tip to Dan for the hook up on this one