Alex Gomez - Outdoor Kitchen
by Daniel Cressey
published: 7 / 6 / 2008

Label:
Deltaelectric Records
Format: CD
intro
Energetic and thunderous in tone but ultimately directionless latest album from blues-punk guitarist Alex Gomez
If you like the sound of someone seriously torturing the blues you will probably love this album from Alex Gomez. Somewhere under it all there may be a traditional blues chord progression. You can almost hear one briefly on opening track ‘One Tequila More’. After this though the rest of the album is spent in what seems like a deliberate attempt to infuriate blues traditionalists. Mostly the songs involve Gomez’s snarling guitar being seemingly stuck in almost permanent solo mode. On top of this his vocals alternate between guttural growling and high pitched wails. It can be a bit trying after a while. Gomez has one of the most punk approaches to the blues out there at the moment. With just guitar, vocals and a lo-fi aesthetic, it is raw to the point of being bloody. Despite his boundless energy 'Outdoor Kitchen' could have done with a bit more direction. The continual guitar snarl means none of the songs really settle down into anything resembling a tune. Over the course of the album this means they all tend to blur into each other after a while and the whole thing resembles something of an extended jam session. If only a small amount of restraint and structure had been placed on tracks like ‘Down the Bayou’ and ‘Smile Now’ this could be great. But Gomez is clearly not in mood for the slightest amount of either restraint or structure. Which for sheer bloody mindedness you do have to respect.
Track Listing:-
1 One Tequila More2 Devil Candy
3 Wake Up Call
4 Smile Now
5 I Can't Tell
6 Working Girls
7 Come with Me
8 Sextacy
9 Road to Hell
10 Down the Bayou
reviews |
Warm Sensations (2006) |
![]() |
Finely-played, but dull-sounding new recording from Texan stoner/blues/rocker Alex Gomez |
most viewed articles
current edition
Spear Of Destiny - InterviewRobert Forster - Interview
Fiona Hutchings - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Carl Ewens - David Bowie 1964 to 1982 On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Brian Wilson - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Pistol Daisys - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Gary Numan - Berserker
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Roberta Flack - 1937 - 2025
most viewed reviews
current edition
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a CircleGarbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Little Simz - Lotus
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
John McKay - Sixes and #Sevens
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
HAIM - I Quit
Vinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Morcheeba - Escape The Chaos
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