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Per quanto mi riguarda l'esame di stato è finito, è cosa passata ormai. I professori sono diventati fantasmi che ancora aleggiano nella mia mente. Ricordo però un paio di sabati fa, quando tra un Pirandello e uno Svevo, tra un integrale definito e una derivata mi venne di andare al negozio per vedere se era finalmente arrivato l'album che da mesi aspettavo, trattasi appunto di: "How we operate" dei Gomez.
Era un caldo sabato di Giugno, ferocemente afoso. Uno di quei giorni dove l'asfalto è talmente bollente che si fonde con i tuoi piedi, inghiottendoti ! La città quel giorno era affollata e nella metro stavamo tutti come il tonno in scatola. Ero sudato da capo a piede ma il mio sollievo era entrare in quello stramaledetto negozio di musica perchè presumevo che c'era lì, riservata per me, una copia di "How we operate" e poi sopratutto perchè sapevo che nel negozio c'era l'ARIA CONDIZIONATA. Finalmente ero arrivato.
L'edificio da fuori mi sembrava enorme e maestoso, era come se fossi arrivato in paradiso. Sempre più inzuppato di sudore entro nel negozio e lì scopro la prima sorpresa (non la più amara) della giornata: L'ARIA CONDIZIONATA ERA GUASTA. Cercando di non bestemmiare, mantenendo la calma e la poca pazienza che andava esaurendosi raggiungo boccheggiando e a tentoni lo scaffale e lo scorro muovendomi come la torre di una scacchiera A, B, C, D, E, F, G... G... G GOMEZ ! Non vedo l'ombra di "Gomez" !!!
Con il sudore che sgorgava dai pori e con la pazienza che si era ridotta ad un briciolo mi allungai letteralmente dal commesso che al contrario di me sembrava tranquillo e meno sudato :
"Mi scusi , avete il nuovo dei gomez ?"
e lui : "gomez?"
"si , gomez"
"Mai sentiti".
Così faccio dietr-front bisbigliando cose poco piacevoli contro il negozio e il mio paese così "musicalmente ignorante" ! Mando un ulteriore "ma va a cagare" al negozio quando vedo il prezzo degli Stone Roses (20 euro) ed esco fuori tornando a casa. Una volta a casa faccio quello che avevo cercato di evitare proprio con i Gomez. In preda ad un istinto pazzoide omicida entro a casa e corro al pc a scaricare l'album.
Bene, al contrario di come avevano dichiarato un mese fa i Gomez licenziano un disco molto brit, diverso dai precedenti, qualche mese fa infatti dichiararono "l'album vede la presenza di una bizzarra miscela tra il banjo e l'ukulele suonati in uno stile robotico che fa sembrare il tutto un incrocio tra Ry Cooder e i Kraftwerk, ma con un potente ritornello rock!”.
Cosa che per fortuna non si è presentata, sarebbe stata una tragedia secondo me. "How we operate" dura 51 minuti e questi si fanno ascoltare con semplicità disarmante. 12 canzoni una più bella dell'altra con ritornelli che ti rimangono attaccati in testa.
Nella commovente apri pista "Notice" dove l'uso di un tappeto di violini impreziosisce la canzone, la solare "See the world", la oscura title track dell'album, la gioiosa "Hamoa Beach" con tanto di batteria jazzata. Il singolo "Girlshapedlovedrug" accompagnato da uno dei video più simpatici della prima metà del 2006 è la canzone più brit del lotto, quella che più si distacca dal tipico suono Gomez che pur rimanendo nel brit ha delle sfumature esotiche , messicane (il gruppo è Southampton, inghilterra, ndr). Segue l'introduzione "bluesaccia" di "Chasing Alcohol with ghosts" che cambia completamente registro diventando un soul rock molto potente.
Poi arrivano le più potenti , le più rock "Tear your love apart" e "too much". La cristallina "Charley Patton songs" è orchestrata benissimo ed è come una garanzia del talento compositivo dei nostri . "Woman!Man!" presenta una melodia sfiziosa e brillante con tanto di Sha-la-la-la !!! L'album si chiude però abbastanza anonimamente con "Cry on demand" e "Don't make me laugh" che ritorna ancora una volta a forti tinte blues che si risolvono in un tipico lento brit con sprazzi esotici nel ritornello.
L'album lunge però da essere un capolavoro assoluto perchè è si, qualcosa di molto bello, compatto e fortemente ascoltabile, ma non ha quel "chè" che lo rende tale ! Il bello dei Gomez è il sapersi non ripetere negli anni. E voi lettori, non crediate che mi sia arreso, l'album c'è l'ho ancora in mp3 ma non mollo. Sto ancora cercando, con spirito più paziente stavolta, in lungo e in largo l'album senza però risultati.
Voi fatemi sapere se lo trovate altrimenti nel frattempo fate come me, iniziate a godervi l'ascolto di una delle perle del 2006.
Elenco tracce testi samples e video
01 Notice (04:01)
I stopped tryin' to write the things I don't like
And I started goin' back to where I'd been before
She said "I don't blame you I'd do the same"
Opportunity knocks knocks knocks open the door
But I think she saw through it
I see through myself
Another chance gone, won't get many more
But I'm not the only guy I know that
I'm not the only guy I know that
You never notice
The only guy I know, well I'm not the only guy I know
That you never notice
I stopped tryin' to write the things I don't like
And I started goin' back to where I'd been before
She said "I don't blame you I'd do the same"
Opportunity knocks knocks knocks open the door
But I think she saw through it
I see through myself
Another chance gone, won't get many more
But that's not the only lie I told you
That's not the only lie I told you
You never notice
The only lie I told you, that's not the only lie I told you
You never notice
The only lie I told you, that's not the only lie I told you
You never notice
I can tell you're in denial, get over it
I can tell you're in denial, get over it
I can tell you're in denial, get over it
I can tell you're in denial
I'm not the only guy I know that you never notice
02 See the World (04:03)
Day to day
Where do you want to be?
'Cos now you're trying to pick a fight
With everyone you need
You seem like a soldier
Who's lost his composure
You're wounded and play a waiting game
In no-man's land no-one's to blame
See the world
Find an old fashioned girl
And when all's been said and done
It's the things that are given, not won
Are the things that you want
Empty handed, surrounded by a senseless scene
With nothing of significance
Besides a shadow of a dream
You sound like an old joke
You're worn-out, a bit broke
An' askin me time and time again
When the answer's still the same
See the world
Find an old fashioned girl
And when all's been said and done
It's the things that are given, not won
Are the things that you want
You've got a chance to put things right
So how's it going to be?
Lay down your arms now
And put us beyond doubt
So reach out it's not too far away
Don't mess around now, don't delay
03 How We Operate (05:26)
Calm down
And get straight
It's in our eyes
It's how we operate
You're true
You are
I'd apologize but it won't go very far
Please come here
Come right on over
And when we collide we'll see what gets left over
A little joy
A little sorrow
And a little pride so we won't have to borrow
Wherever you lead, I'll follow
Turn me inside out and upside down
And try to see things my way
Turn a new page, tear the old one out
And I'll try to see things your way
Please come here
Please come on over
There is no line that you can't step right over
Without you well I'm left hollow
So can we decide to try a little joy tomorrow
'Cos baby tonight I'll follow
Turn me inside out and upside down
And try to see things my way
Turn a new page, tear the old one out
And I'll try to see things your way
The way that we've been speaking now
I swear that we'd be friends, I swear
'Cos all these little deals go down with
Little consequences, we share, we share
Turn me inside out and upside down
And try to see things my way
Turn a new page, tear the old one out
And I'll try to see things your way
And I'm gonna love you anyway
Try to see things your way
Try to see things your way
Try to see things your way
04 Hamoa Beach (03:34)
Oh no, why can't you get along?
Okay, I know its not my place.
I've gotta say somethin'
I've gotta say somethin'
I've gotta speak
She'll never leave
And you can never throw her out
Impossible to conceive
You'd rather be with than without
That's just the fear talkin
That's just the fear talkin
That's just the fear
Don't let it take you
Like it nearly took me
Fear
Don't let it fool you
Like it nearly fooled me
Fear
Remember the good old days
Well love is like a dragonfly
So beautiful
It will die
And disappear before your eyes
I'm no philosopher
I am no poet
I'm just trying to help you out
Don't let it fool you
Like it nearly fooled me
Fear
Don't let it take you
Like it nearly took me
So you sit and wait
For another man to take your place
And when, when he comes
Would you welcome him with open arms
You'll feel a hundred years younger
You'll feel a hundred years younger
You'll feel no fear
Don't let it take you
Like it nearly took me
Fear
Don't let it fool you
Like it nearly fooled me
Fear
Don't let it kill you
Like it nearly killed me
Fear
05 Girlshapedlovedrug (04:00)
She's a Wicked Girl
Worst in all the world
A mystery lies in her
She spends her days
in a violent rage
try as I might
I love her
Everytime the tears run dry
the story goes
what's left behind
shivers like a leaf
taciturn and gentle
it's not hard to believe
The Girlshapedlovedrug
messes with my mind
Don't ask me why,
the Girlshapedlovedrug
messes with your mind
She likes to fight
the whole world bang to rights
yours truly, I'd die for her
The growing pains
dissolve in lemonade
the sweetness flies to her
Every time her temper flares
a storm will blow
what's left's so rare
A fragment of the girl
soft and sentimental
the side she tries not to share
The Girlshapedlovedrug
messes with my head
Don't ask me why,
the Girlshapedlovedrug
messes with your mind
Don't ask me why,
the Girlshapedlovedrug
messes with my mind
When your song is sung
don't let me colour your opinion
that girl's my life, I tell ya
Every time my tears run dry
and the moment's flown
and re-designed
My feelings for the girl
how could I be with out her?
I would surely still find
The Girlshapedlovedrug
messes with my mind
Don't ask me why,
the Girlshapedlovedrug
messes with my mind
Don't ask me why,
the Girlshapedlovedrug
messes with your mind
Don't ask me why,
the Girlshapedlovedrug
messes with my mind
06 Chasing Ghosts With Alcohol (03:42)
Well its been more than a year
Since I lived by the sea
And though we both have been moving
You came back to me
And I remember the old signs we threw off the pier
They've been burning for God knows
They sink, disappear
Take one day of my lifestyle
Passing ghosts in the street
I chase them away with alcohol
But they don't get drunk
The ghosts around your city
Have all got my name
I wonder how I'm glowing
I wonder why I'm glowing
I wonder how I'm glowing
I wonder why I'm glowing
09 Woman! Man! (04:04)
A temperamental ex stops and asks her why
But "why?" cannot expect a true reply
Somehow love's picture hangs imperfect
And hand on heart we learn the score
The lovers and their wars
Are wondering whats meant to be
For hope will spring eternal
While love has got you on your knees, oh-oh-oh
Sha-la-la-la, woman
Sha-la-la-la, man
Sha-la-la-la, woman
Sha-la-la-la, man
Sha-la-la-la, woman
Always and much more
Her body makes an "S", today they made a scene
His sleepless needing her, he dogs her dreams
Then he wakes up on her doorstep
Then he wakes up on his floor
More drunken than before
She wouldn't open up to him
But hope will spring eternal
Through a multitude of sins, oh-oh-oh
Sha-la-la-la, woman
Sha-la-la-la, man
Sha-la-la-la, woman
Sha-la-la-la, man
Sha-la-la-la, woman
Always, always, always
For hope will spring eternal
While love has got you on your knees
Sha-la-la-la, woman
Sha-la-la-la, man
Sha-la-la-la, woman
Sha-la-la-la, man
Sha-la-la-la, woman
Always and forever more
11 Cry on Demand (04:22)
I wish I could cry on demand,
Boo Hoo, Boo Hoo
Given all these troubles on my mind,
the tears won't come out.
I've been shaking, shaking in my boots
every time I hear my telephone ring
It can't possibly be you,
You never call,
not since my little accident.
I didn't mean to cause any trouble
I didn't know you were so serious
Yeah, I didn't mean to burst our bubble
It can only float for so long
Now I realise, I realise they were wrong,
'cos what happens in Vegas,
don't take very long,
to travel accross continents,
and onwards overseas,
onto our little island,
to our city, our home,
but
I didn't mean to cause any trouble
I didn't know you were so serious
Yeah, I didn't mean to burst our bubble
It could only float for so long
Sometimes I wish, I could cry on demand
Boo Hoo, Boo Hoo
Given all these troubles on my mind,
the tears won't come out.
I didn't mean to cause any trouble
I didn't know you were so serious
Yeah, I didn't mean to burst our bubble
It could only float for so long
Sometimes I wish, I could cry on demand
Boo Hoo, Boo Hoo
Given all these troubles on my mind,
the tears won't come out.
I wish, I could cry on demand
Boo Hoo, Boo Hoo
Given all these troubles on my mind,
the tears won't come out,
the tears won't come out,
the tears won't come out.
12 Don't Make Me Laugh (04:34)
I epitomise restraint
But time has tempered my discretion
I'm bound to betray myself someday
I'm hitting the road
(hitting the road)
And saying goodbye
(saying goodbye)
I'll never look backwards
Let the sun get in my eyes
Oh, don't make me laugh
You're not fooled by the way I come over
Don't make me laugh and don't make me cry
So long, goodbye
This parted history we share
Poorly wrapped and hardly mentioned
An unreciprocal glint in your eye
It's hard to know
(it's hard to know)
Who's telling a lie
(telling a lie)
You never say never
and see your vanity deprived
Oh, don't make me laugh
You're not fooled by the way I come over
Don't make me laugh and don't make me cry
So long, goodbye
Don't make me laugh
There is no other way I could know her
Don't make me laugh and don't make me cry
So long, goodbye
'Cause you know
Don't make me laugh
You're not fooled by the way I come over
Don't make me laugh and don't make me cry
So long, goodbye
Don't make me laugh
There is no other way I could know her
Don't make me laugh and don't make me cry
So long, so long, so long,
Goodbye
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