Robert Gomez - Brand New Towns
by Sarah Maybank
published: 23 / 2 / 2007

Label:
Bella Union
Format: CD
intro
Well-produced, but unmemorable new CD from Texan singer-songwriter Robert Gomez , who inlcudes in his fan base Norah Jones
Is it insensitive of the sensitive to impose their sensitivity on others? Well, if your drowsy musings had impressed dewy-skinned camera candy Norah Jones you’d probably care as much about answering that as Texas croonsmith Robert Gomez. Gomez’s mood music for the extremely fed-up enticed the enchanting Jones to pan up to one of his 2006 shows. And it flagged him up as troubadour du jour on the circuit of troubled young men venting their pain via the medium of down-tempo songwriting. Good for you, Rob - but don’t listen to 'Brand New Towns 'while driving, is all we’re saying. With melodies reminiscent of Badly Drawn Boy or the Flaming Lips, embellished with tasteful keyboard arpeggios, waltzy accordian flourishes and gentle Hovis ad-style trumpets, it’ll lull you into a slightly self-pitying, duvet day-esque reverie at first. Echoey, ‘recorded in the kitchen’ production, and mumbled, Gruff Rhys-ish vocals add shambling appeal. But it lacks stick-in-the-brain tunes (even the bleakest moods need a hook to hang on. Ask Kele Olereke, Morrissey, and Thom Yorke, if you can persuade them away from gazing at their navels) and the stupefying overall effect is of an artist channelling extra-strength cold medication. By the end you’ll be drifting in and out of consciousness and wondering how the hell you could’ve been administered a borderline lethal dose of Night Nurse despite being in the house on your own. But maybe it’s Gomez, once a member of the Ringling Brothers Circus, who is having the last laugh. He’s from Texas remember. Listen to this album while visualising crass 80s oil opera, 'Dallas'. You’ll soon be freaking out at how his Quink-toned soundscapes render its cut-throat operators, terrifying shoulder pads, and soapy over–emoting uber-demonic. Can you hear him chuckling with satisfaction back in Denton, Texas? We can. File under 'job done'.
Track Listing:-
1 Closer Still2 All We Got
3 The Same Sad Song
4 Back to Me
5 Into the Sun
6 Perfect
7 If I Could Have You Back
8 The Coming
9 The Leaving
10 Mistress
11 You Need Somebody
12 Brand New Towns
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Yardbirds - Interview with Jim McCarty
Johnny Cash - Video Vault
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
John Philip Shenale - Interview
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Man From Delmonte - Interview
Loft - Interview
Vapors - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Bryan Ferry and Amelia Barrett - Loose TalkIvor Game - When Will You Fall Into My Loving Arms?
Gabriel Moreno - Nights in the Belly of Bohemia
Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham - Big Blue Sky
Brooke Combe - Dancing at the Edge of the World
Shaw's Trailer Park - I Thought I Saw You
Bryan Adams - Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2024
Ringo Starr - Look Up
FKA twigs - Eusexua
Leon Bridges - Leon
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart