Gomez - A New Tide

Rating:

* * *

Here's the problem with

A New Tide

- the sixth studio album from Brit folk rockers Gomez - it's the same as the old tide. It washes in, it washes out, but nothing really changes.

Indeed, you may not notice it at all until the third track,

If I Ask You Nicely

. And even then, it struggles to induce more than a fingersnap or two before it returns to the hum-and-strum status quo of

Lost Track

and

Bone Tired

. An apt title for a track that could easily put you to sleep.

When it does attempt to rough things up, it becomes worse as frontman Ian Ball's voice bears a toe-curling similarity to the drone of Counting Crows' Adam Duritz.

Gomez may have started on top with their 1998 prize-winning debut

Bring It On

but it's been a downward decline since then. Their most recent career highlights include featuring on

Grey's Anatomy

. Twice. Which isn't something to boast about.

The vocoder vocals, distorted guitars and squelchy synths of

Airstream Driver

up the tempo and are the closest the band come to a pop number. But for the most part, this is a record of bland, blowing-in-the-wind tunes. Never unpleasant, nor particularly inspired,

A New Tide

will appeal to those who like calm seas and smooth sailing.

Joanna Hunkin