Alex Gomez - Outdoor Kitchen
by Daniel Cressey
published: 7 / 6 / 2008
![Alex Gomez - Outdoor Kitchen](/images/Sleeves/SlvWebP800/15856.webp)
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
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Kula Shaker - Natural MagickIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for Bread
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Inutili - A Love Supreme
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
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