:: Gomez - Split The Difference

Gomez

Every so often an album comes along that makes you want to shelve your critics hat and gush like a die-hard fan. Split The Difference is definitely one of those albums. I feel absolutely no need to talk about its marked change of direction from previous releases, moving away from the experimental styling of previous album In Our Sun, and towards simple, heady and magnificent rock. I also feel it unnecessary to tell you Split The Difference was recorded in Portslade, England, a place that not only received a collective “it’s crap!” from the band, but a place that has also been the dismal inspiration of what could easily be one of the best albums of 2004. Unmentioned will be the efforts of producer Tchad Blake, whose previous work with artists such as Tom Waits and Crowded House has clearly added an entirely new dimension to the bands music. I will also omit any reference to the standout songs, such as “Sweet Virginia”, a quirky rock tinged ballad that demands appreciation, and “There It Was”, a track that makes you hurt so bad you’d swear you’d written and performed it yourself. No, this time I’m not going to say any of that stuff, I’m just going to be a fan and say, “It’s really cool, I like it a lot”.