Description
Gomez – Liquid Skin – Double 180 Gram Vinyl Record
Gomez’s Liquid Skin (1999) is the sophomore album by the British indie rock band, following their critically acclaimed debut, Bring It On (1998). Released at the height of the late 90s Britpop and alternative scene, Liquid Skin further solidified Gomez’s reputation for eclecticism, blending a wide array of genres such as blues, folk, psychedelia, and electronic elements with their signature experimental sound. The album builds on the laid-back, rootsy vibe of their debut while pushing into more expansive and ambitious territory, with more textured arrangements and layered production.
Produced by the band themselves, Liquid Skin showcases Gomez’s willingness to experiment with different sounds, instruments, and recording techniques. The album features a mix of laid-back grooves, bluesy guitar riffs, and soulful, gravelly vocals, alternating between the voices of band members Ben Ottewell, Ian Ball, and Tom Gray. This variety, along with the album’s diverse musical influences, makes Liquid Skin an adventurous and distinctive entry in late 90s indie rock.
One of Gomez’s defining traits is their deep connection to blues and roots music. Liquid Skin continues this trend with tracks like “Revolutionary Kind” and “Blue Moon Rising,” which feature bluesy guitar riffs, soulful vocals, and a laid-back groove. However, the band blends these elements with modern production techniques and experimental sounds.
The album shifts seamlessly between genres, incorporating folk, psychedelia, and even touches of electronic music. Tracks like “We Haven’t Turned Around” feature lush string arrangements and dreamlike atmospherics, while “California” is driven by a more straightforward, jangly folk-rock vibe.
Gomez’s production on Liquid Skin is more complex than on their debut. The album is filled with layered guitars, rich harmonies, and ambient soundscapes, creating a dense, immersive listening experience. The band experiments with tape loops, vocal manipulation, and unconventional instrumentation to build a wide sonic palette.
Key Tracks
“Revolutionary Kind”: This track is one of the album’s more blues-driven songs, with a slow, slinky groove and a soulful vocal delivery from Ben Ottewell. The song’s relaxed vibe is balanced by its rich production, with layers of guitars and atmospheric textures creating a hypnotic feel.
“We Haven’t Turned Around”: A standout ballad, “We Haven’t Turned Around” is one of the most atmospheric tracks on the album, featuring a beautiful, melancholic melody and lush, orchestral arrangements. The song’s dreamlike quality is enhanced by the subtle electronic flourishes and string sections, making it one of the album’s most emotional moments.
“Rhythm & Blues Alibi”: A more upbeat, funk-infused track, “Rhythm & Blues Alibi” blends a tight, syncopated rhythm with playful lyrics and soulful vocals. The song has an infectious groove, with a blend of electronic and organic elements that keep it fresh and exciting.
“Blue Moon Rising”: Another blues-inflected track, “Blue Moon Rising” has a swampy, moody feel, with a slow, deliberate rhythm and atmospheric guitar lines. The song’s rich vocal harmonies and dark, brooding mood make it one of the more intense tracks on the album.
“Bring It On”: This track, which shares the name of their debut album, features a more stripped-back acoustic sound, with a focus on raw, emotional vocals and intricate guitar work. It showcases Gomez’s ability to create intimacy in their music, even amid their more experimental moments.
Many of the songs on Liquid Skin deal with themes of introspection, personal reflection, and the passage of time. Tracks like “We Haven’t Turned Around” and “Revolutionary Kind” explore themes of personal change, emotional conflict, and the challenges of navigating life’s uncertainties. Several songs on the album evoke a sense of escapism, with lyrics that reference nature, freedom, and the desire to break away from the mundane. “Blue Moon Rising” and “California” capture a longing for freedom and exploration, reflecting Gomez’s ability to craft songs that balance personal emotion with broader, universal themes. Gomez’s lyrics often veer into the abstract or surreal, allowing for multiple interpretations. The band’s mix of introspective, poetic lyrics with their eclectic sound adds a layer of ambiguity to many tracks, creating an atmosphere where the music’s mood and texture take precedence over straightforward storytelling.
Gomez is unique in having three lead vocalists—Ben Ottewell, Ian Ball, and Tom Gray—each bringing a distinct vocal style to the mix. Ottewell’s gravelly, bluesy voice is often the most prominent, giving tracks like “Revolutionary Kind” and “Blue Moon Rising” a soulful edge. Ball and Gray’s smoother, more melodic vocals provide contrast, adding richness and diversity to the album. The band’s guitar work is central to their sound, with a mix of acoustic and electric guitars providing both rhythmic and textural layers. The guitars are often treated with effects, creating a sense of space and depth, while the interplay between the band members adds a dynamic, improvisational feel to many tracks. Liquid Skin showcases the band’s growing interest in experimental production techniques. They incorporate tape loops, synthesizers, and other electronic elements to create a dense, textured sound. This approach is particularly evident on tracks like “We Haven’t Turned Around,” where the ambient soundscapes and lush orchestration take the music into more cinematic territory.
Following the success of their debut, Liquid Skin confirmed Gomez as one of the most innovative bands of the late 90s alternative scene. Critics praised their ability to blend genres and push boundaries while maintaining a coherent, unique sound. The album’s mix of accessibility and experimentation helped the band build a loyal fanbase.
Liquid Skin sits alongside other genre-blending records from the 90s, when bands were experimenting with fusing rock, electronic, and roots music. Gomez’s blend of blues, indie rock, and experimental sounds was in line with other British bands like Radiohead and Spiritualized, who were also pushing the boundaries of rock during the same period.
Gomez’s sound, characterized by its eclecticism and willingness to experiment, has had a lasting influence on indie and alternative rock bands that followed. Their blend of traditional rock with blues, folk, and electronic elements helped pave the way for future bands exploring cross-genre experimentation.
Liquid Skin by Gomez is an ambitious, genre-blending album that expands on the band’s eclectic debut while pushing into more experimental territory. With its mix of blues, folk, psychedelia, and electronic elements, the album showcases the band’s ability to craft both laid-back grooves and expansive soundscapes. Tracks like “We Haven’t Turned Around” and “Revolutionary Kind” exemplify the band’s unique approach to songwriting, blending introspective lyrics with richly textured production. Liquid Skin remains a standout album from the late 90s, offering a dynamic and immersive listening experience that continues to influence the indie rock landscape.
20th Anniversary Edition
Remastered at Abbey Road on 2x 180gm vinyl
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Hangover
Revolutionary Kind
Bring It On
Blue Moon Rising
Las Vegas Dealer
We Haven’t Turned Around
Fill My Cup
Rhythm & Blues Alibi
Rosalita
California
Devil Will Ride
