Liquid Skin

Gomez released their debut studio album Bring It On in April 1998.{{cite web |last=Prato |first=Greg |title=Bring It On – Gomez {{!}} Release Info |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/bring-it-on-mr0004890517 |url-status=live |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730103753/https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/bring-it-on-mr0004890517 |archive-date=30 July 2021}} It peaked at number 11 in the UK, where it won the Mercury Music Prize.{{cite web |last=Prato |first=Greg |title=Gomez {{!}} Biography & History |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/gomez-mn0000948625/biography |url-status=live |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730075801/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/gomez-mn0000948625/biography |archive-date=30 July 2021}}{{cite web |title=Gomez {{!}} full Official Chart History |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/4390/gomez/ |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=29 July 2021}} All three of its singles charted on the UK Singles Chart, with "Whippin' Piccadilly" reaching the highest at number 35. It was promoted with a tour of the United States supporting Eagle-Eye Cherry.

Based on the strength of the demos the band had made, their label let them self-produce their next album.{{cite web |last=Basham |first=David |title=Gomez On Maintaining Complete Control Over 'Liquid Skin' |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1429588/gomez-on-maintaining-complete-control-over-liquid-skin/ |url-status=dead |publisher=MTV |date=29 September 1999 |access-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729111749/http://www.mtv.com/news/1429588/gomez-on-maintaining-complete-control-over-liquid-skin/ |archive-date=29 July 2021}} Sessions for it began at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool in August 1998.{{cite web |title=Gomez – In the studio |url=http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/Gomez/interviews/September1998/interviews9874.asp |url-status=dead |work=Dotmusic |date=14 September 1998 |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031103224645/http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/Gomez/interviews/September1998/interviews9874.asp |archive-date=3 November 2003}} By November 1998, the band were working at Abbey Road Studios, where they recorded strings, before moving to a mansion near Hastings. Guitarist Ian Ball said they moved so that they would be able to "recreate the home-recorded sound of the first album, but in grander surroundings".{{cite web |title=Gomez: Get in the Boat |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/gomez-42-1398920 |work=NME |date=17 November 1998 |access-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729122737/https://www.nme.com/news/music/gomez-42-1398920 |archive-date=29 July 2021}}{{cite web |last=Millar |first=Mark |title=Interview: Gomez' Ben Ottewell Talks 20 years of 'Liquid Skin' |url=https://www.xsnoize.com/interview-gomez-ben-ottewell-talks-20-years-of-liquid-skin/ |publisher=Xs Noize |date=10 July 2019 |access-date=2 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002094009/https://www.xsnoize.com/interview-gomez-ben-ottewell-talks-20-years-of-liquid-skin/ |archive-date=2 October 2022}} They took a break to play a US tour with Mojave 3 in April and May 1999.{{cite web |title=Tour Dates |url=http://www.westnet.com/consumable/1999/04.05/tour0405.html|work=Consumable Online|date=5 April 1999|access-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020621121617/http://www.westnet.com/consumable/1999/04.05/tour0405.html |archive-date=21 June 2002}}{{cite web |title=Tour Dates |url=http://www.westnet.com/consumable/1999/04.12/tour0412.html |work=Consumable Online |date=12 April 1999 |access-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020621121834/http://www.westnet.com/consumable/1999/04.12/tour0412.html |archive-date=21 June 2002}}{{cite web |title=Tour Dates |url=http://www.westnet.com/consumable/1999/04.26/tour0426.html |work=Consumable Online |date=26 April 1999 |access-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010718003842/http://www.westnet.com/consumable/1999/04.26/tour0426.html |archive-date=18 July 2001}} Gomez had collectively recorded 32 songs during the recording sessions; they had finished in June 1999.{{cite web |title=Sorted Foe E, Whizz, Hash, H, Acid, Ketamine and Viagra |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/gomez-47-1386804 |url-status=live |work=NME |date=17 May 1999 |access-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729105301/https://www.nme.com/news/music/gomez-47-1386804 |archive-date=29 July 2021}}{{cite web |title=Gomez Skin Up |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/gomez-43-1400707 |url-status=live |work=NME |date=20 June 1999 |access-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729105306/https://www.nme.com/news/music/gomez-43-1400707 |archive-date=29 July 2021}}

Musically, the sound of Liquid Skin has been described as blues rock, rooted in American blues and folk, with elements of art rock and psychedelic music.Citations for the sound of Liquid Skin:

• Blues rock, roots and psychedelic: {{cite web |last=Rusak |first=Gary |title=Gomez: Liquid Skin |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/gomez-liquid_skin |url-status=live |work=Exclaim! |date=1 October 1999 |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726080557/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/gomez-liquid_skin |archive-date=26 July 2021}}
• Art rock elements: {{cite web |last=Murray |first=Noel |title=Gomez: In Our Gun |url=https://www.avclub.com/gomez-in-our-gun-1798197584 |url-status=live |work=The A.V. Club |date=11 June 2002 |access-date=25 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725080040/https://www.avclub.com/gomez-in-our-gun-1798197584 |archive-date=25 July 2021}} It has been compared to the work of Pearl Jam (specifically their 1996 album No Code), Beck, and the Grateful Dead.{{cite web |last=Rusak |first=Gary |title=Gomez: Liquid Skin |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/gomez-liquid_skin |url-status=live |work=Exclaim! |date=1 October 1999 |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726080557/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/gomez-liquid_skin |archive-date=26 July 2021}} Acoustic guitars lead the majority of the songs, which are accompanied by horns, strings, and keyboards. There is a bigger emphasis on vocals and harmonies; in contrast to Bring It On, which typically featured one singer per track, most of the songs on Liquid Skin had all three (Ball, guitarist Tom Gray, and guitarist Ben Ottewell). Ottewell theorised that the band's experience travelling in Australia, Europe and the United States influenced their writing.{{cite web |last=Thornhill |first=James |title=Gomez on the 20th Anniversary of 'Liquid Skin' |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/interviews/gomez_on_the_20th_anniversary_of_liquid_skin |url-status=live |work=Under the Radar |date=13 October 2019 |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729113319/https://www.undertheradarmag.com/interviews/gomez_on_the_20th_anniversary_of_liquid_skin |archive-date=29 July 2021}} The album's title went through multiple names – God's Big Spaceship and Touching Up – before settling on Liquid Skin, which was inspired by a product they had found while in the United States. They almost called it Liquid State, though Gray said that as a title it was "not as good as 'Liquid Skin'."{{cite web |title=Gomez: The Fannish Inquisition |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/gomez-29-1396363 |url-status=live |work=NME |date=22 September 1999 |access-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729095706/https://www.nme.com/news/music/gomez-29-1396363 |archive-date=29 July 2021}} Ball described it as a "party record", with the "general theme" being "how many different ways we can play the same song in four minutes".

The sitar-driven opening track, "Hangover", deals with love and being drunk, according to Gray.{{cite web |last=Gulla |first=Bob |title=Review: Liquid Skin |url=http://wallofsound.go.com/archive/reviews/stories/gomez_liquidskinIndex.html |url-status=dead |publisher=Wall of Sound |access-date=30 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010406000317/http://wallofsound.go.com/archive/reviews/stories/gomez_liquidskinIndex.html |archive-date=6 April 2001}} It is a delta blues song that opens with Ken Nelson misquoting the opening line from Pink Floyd's The Wall (1979), followed by a loud bassline.{{cite web |last=Ball |first=Ian |author-link=Ian Ball |title=Ian Ball on Twitter: {{single double}}It's OK, I'll be in a minute" The fabulous Ken Nelson gloriously...' |url=https://twitter.com/iballmd/status/1268271300130115584 |publisher=Twitter |date=3 June 2020 |access-date=1 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603234922/https://twitter.com/iballmd/status/1268271300130115584 |archive-date=3 June 2020}}{{cite web |last=Walsh |first=John |title=Liquid Skin |url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/liquid-skin-453548 |url-status=live |work=Hot Press |date=31 March 2001 |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730103754/https://www.hotpress.com/music/liquid-skin-453548 |archive-date=30 July 2021}} "Revolutionary Kind" sees the band mix country and techno, recalling the work of Alabama 3.Hinton 2012, p. 735 Gray wrote the song in a house on Ash Grove in Leeds; when they were recording it, the hall they were tracking in would burn down frequently.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/MrTomGray/status/1268272848935825411|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603224520/https://twitter.com/MrTomGray/status/1268272848935825411|title=Tom Gray on Twitter: 'I started writing Revolutionary Kind in a house on Ash Grove...'|publisher=Twitter|author=Gray, Tom|date=3 June 2020|archive-date=3 June 2020|access-date=1 September 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/MrTomGray/status/1268272608069459968|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603201706/https://twitter.com/MrTomGray/status/1268272608069459968|title=Tom Gray on Twitter: 'So we were recording in this old hall and a lot of it burned...'|publisher=Twitter|author=Gray, Tom|date=3 June 2020|archive-date=3 June 2020|access-date=1 September 2021}} "Bring It On", the name of which alludes to the band's debut, includes a reference to that album's opening song, "Get Miles".{{cite web|url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/playing_god/gomez-liquid-skin.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814055100/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/playing_god/gomez-liquid-skin.htm|title=Gomez: Liquid Skin - Playing God|work=Stylus|author=Shoup, Brad|archive-date=14 August 2007|access-date=30 July 2021|url-status=dead}} It ends with a raga rock coda; the song was written around the same time as "Tijuana Lady" (from Bring It On), though was abandoned and left off their debut.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/iballmd/status/1268274849794809857|title=Ian Ball on Twitter: 'Looks like this song was written the same week as Tijuana...'|publisher=Twitter|author=Ball, Ian|date=3 June 2020|access-date=1 September 2021|archive-date=3 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603233233/https://twitter.com/iballmd/status/1268274849794809857|url-status=live}} Gray wrote "Blue Moon Rising" as a reaction to the death of Princess Diana.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/MrTomGray/status/1268275021656592390|title=Tom Gray on Twitter: 'I wrote this song in response to the death of Princess Di...'|publisher=Twitter|author=Gray, Tom|date=3 June 2020|access-date=1 September 2021|archive-date=4 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604015442/https://twitter.com/MrTomGray/status/1268275021656592390|url-status=live}} "Las Vegas Dealer" begins as a psychedelic piece and vocal harmonies in the vein of the Moody Blues, before incorporating Eastern rhythms.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/517935/english-psychedelic-rockers-gomez-wrap-short-us-tour/|title=English Psychedelic-Rockers Gomez Wrap Short U.S. Tour|publisher=MTV|author=Simon, Richard B|date=4 October 1999|access-date=29 July 2021|archive-date=29 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729112439/http://www.mtv.com/news/517935/english-psychedelic-rockers-gomez-wrap-short-us-tour/|url-status=dead}} Ball said it was written about a drunken night while in Las Vegas, Nevada, with Nuno Bettencourt's father.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/iballmd/status/1268276170463670272|title=Ian Ball on Twitter: 'About a pissed evening with Nuno's dad in Las Vegas...'|publisher=Twitter|author=Ball, Ian|date=3 June 2020|access-date=1 September 2021|archive-date=4 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604014451/https://twitter.com/iballmd/status/1268276170463670272|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ottewellben/status/1268276478329970688|title=Ben Ottewell on Twitter: 'This song was written about an encounter with Nuno Bettencourts...'|publisher=Twitter|author=Ottewell, Ben|author-link=Ben Ottewell|date=3 June 2020|access-date=1 September 2021|archive-date=3 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603212852/https://twitter.com/ottewellben/status/1268276478329970688|url-status=live}}

"We Haven't Turned Around" features cellos; it originally began under the title "Canderel" with a different chorus section. "Fill My Cup" transitions over the course of its length from blues to skate metal, with two middle eight sections.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/MrTomGray/status/1268278990386737152|title=Tom Gray on Twitter: 'A song with two middle eights. Don't do drugs kids...'|publisher=Twitter|author=Gray, Tom|date=3 June 2020|access-date=1 September 2021|archive-date=3 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603231851/https://twitter.com/MrTomGray/status/1268278990386737152|url-status=live}} "Rhythm & Blues Alibi" was written by Ball while attending university; Ottewell saw it as "taking the piss out of R&B music" and "the band and probably me, particularly!". Ball was playing guitar with a Zoom Sampletrak sampler, when Gray suggested using some of the parts from it as the song's bridge section.{{cite web |title=How I wrote 'Rhythm & Blues Alibi' by Gomez's Ben Ottewell |url=https://www.songwritingmagazine.co.uk/how-i-wrote/rhythm-blues-alibi-gomez |url-status=live |work=Songwriting |date=13 February 2020 |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830203408/https://www.songwritingmagazine.co.uk/how-i-wrote/rhythm-blues-alibi-gomez |archive-date=30 August 2021}} Gray described the song as being a dig at a lot of "landfill RnB in the late-90s, but we were also saying that we were dicks appropriating black culture".{{cite web |last=Gray |first=Tom |title=Tom Gray on Twitter: 'A misunderstood song IMHO. Sure we were having a side...' |url=https://twitter.com/MrTomGray/status/1268280044360794114 |url-status=live |publisher=Twitter |date=3 June 2020 |access-date=1 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603220736/https://twitter.com/MrTomGray/status/1268280044360794114 |archive-date=3 June 2020}} "California" is a slow-building song that incorporates droning, and switches to a boogie; throughout this, the song details escaping California. The composition of the song was completed while backstage during a show with Mojave 3 at the Troubadour in West Hollywood.{{cite web |last=Ottewell |first=Ben |title=Ben Ottewell on Twitter: 'This song was finished backstage at the Crocodile Cafe Seattle...' |url=https://twitter.com/ottewellben/status/1268281954878849025 |url-status=live |publisher=Twitter |date=3 June 2020 |access-date=1 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603214302/https://twitter.com/ottewellben/status/1268281954878849025 |archive-date=3 June 2020}}{{cite web |author=Gomez |author-link=Gomez (band) |date=3 June 2020 |title=Gomez on Twitter: 'Yeah, it was definately [sic] backstage at the Troubador...' |url=https://twitter.com/gomeztheband/status/1268282708188450816 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603211516/https://twitter.com/gomeztheband/status/1268282708188450816 |archive-date=3 June 2020 |access-date=1 September 2021 |publisher=Twitter}} The closing track, "Devil Will Ride", uses a vocoder and marching band horns, concluding with a Beatlesque fadeout.{{cite web |author=SD |title=Gomez – reviews – 'Liquid Skin' |url=http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/Gomez/reviews/September1999/reviews10959.asp |url-status=dead |work=Dotmusic |date=9 September 1999 |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040103083345/http://www.dotmusic.com/artists/Gomez/reviews/September1999/reviews10959.asp |archive-date=3 January 2004}} Ball said the song was known under the working title of "God's Big Spaceship".{{cite web |last=Ball |first=Ian |title=Ian Ball on Twitter: 'This tune was known as God's Big Spaceship up til the last minute...' |url=https://twitter.com/iballmd/status/1268284634044837888 |url-status=live |publisher=Twitter |date=3 June 2020 |access-date=1 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603221646/https://twitter.com/iballmd/status/1268284634044837888 |archive-date=3 June 2020}}

Gomez embarked on a tour of the US in April and May 1999, where they were supported by Mojave 3; they cancelled shows in Europe to focus on the US.{{cite web |title=Gomez To Tour North America |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/512831/gomez-to-tour-north-america/ |url-status=dead |publisher=MTV |date=15 March 1999 |access-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729112934/http://www.mtv.com/news/512831/gomez-to-tour-north-america/ |archive-date=29 July 2021}} On 20 June 1999, Liquid Skin was announced for release in three months' time. "Bring It On" was released as the lead single from the album on 28 June 1999. Two versions were released on CD: the first with "Dire Tribe" and "M57", while the second included "Chicken Bones" and "Step Inside".{{cite AV media notes |title="Bring It On" |others=Gomez |year=1999 |type=sleeve |publisher=Hut/Virgin Records |id=HUTCD112/7243 8 95969 2 2}}{{cite AV media notes |title="Bring It On" |others=Gomez |year=1999 |type=sleeve |publisher=Hut/Virgin Records |id=HUTDX112/7243 8 95970 2 8}} They then appeared at the Glastonbury, T in the Park and V Festivals over the next two months.{{cite web |title=Gomez Bring It on Again! |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/gomez-50-1389009 |url-status=live |work=NME |date=19 April 1999 |access-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729105300/https://www.nme.com/news/music/gomez-50-1389009 |archive-date=29 July 2021}} "Rhythm & Blues Alibi" was released as a single on 30 August 1999.{{cite web |title=Hot New R&B |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/gomez-44-1400745 |url-status=live |work=NME |date=15 June 1999 |access-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729105302/https://www.nme.com/news/music/gomez-44-1400745 |archive-date=29 July 2021}} Two versions were released on CD: the first with "The Best in Town" and "So", while the second included a "pre-mellotron" version of "Rhythm & Blues Alibi", "ZYX", and a live version of "Tijuana Lady" (under the name "Tijuanalaska").{{cite AV media notes |title="Rhythm & Blues Alibi" |others=Gomez |year=1999 |type=sleeve |publisher=Hut/Virgin Records |id=HUTCD114/724389617726}}{{cite AV media notes |title="Rhythm & Blues Alibi" |others=Gomez |year=1999 |type=sleeve |publisher=Hut/Virgin Records |id=HUTDX114/724389617825}}

Liquid Skin was released through Hut Records on 13 September 1999; its US release occurred a week later.{{cite web |title=Gomez Bandages 'Skin' for Second LP |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1429591/gomez-bandages-skin-for-second-lp/ |url-status=dead |publisher=MTV |date=18 August 1999 |access-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729112935/http://www.mtv.com/news/1429591/gomez-bandages-skin-for-second-lp/ |archive-date=29 July 2021}} Coinciding with this, the band went on a tour of the US and then the UK in October and November 1999.{{cite web |title=Gomez Mariachi Near You |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/gomez-40-1399352 |url-status=live |work=NME |date=13 July 1999 |access-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729105302/https://www.nme.com/news/music/gomez-40-1399352 |archive-date=29 July 2021}}{{cite web |last=Basham |first=David |title=Gomez Brings It on for American Promo Tour |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1429590/gomez-brings-it-on-for-american-promo-tour/ |url-status=dead |publisher=MTV |date=24 August 1999 |access-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729112933/http://www.mtv.com/news/1429590/gomez-brings-it-on-for-american-promo-tour/ |archive-date=29 July 2021}} "We Haven't Turned Around" was released as a single on 8 November 1999.{{cite web |title=Gomez Not for Turning |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/gomez-31-1396568 |url-status=live |work=NME |date=20 September 1999 |access-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729105300/https://www.nme.com/news/music/gomez-31-1396568 |archive-date=29 July 2021}} Two versions were released on CD: the first with "Flight" and "Rosemary", while the second featured an "X-Ray" version of "We Haven't Turned Around", "Gomez in a Bucket (A Seaside Town Made of Ice Cream, Slowly Melting)", and "Emergency Surgery".{{cite AV media notes |title="We Haven't Turned Around" |others=Gomez |year=1999 |type=sleeve |publisher=Hut/Virgin Records |id=HUTCD117/724389632323}}{{cite AV media notes |title="We Haven't Turned Around" |others=Gomez |year=1999 |type=sleeve |publisher=Hut/Virgin Records |id=HUTDX117/724389632521}}

"Bring It On" and "We Haven't Turned Around" were included on the band's second compilation album, Five Men in a Hut: A's, B's and Rarities 1998–2004 (2004).{{cite AV media notes |title=Five Men in a Hut: A's, B's and Rarities 1998–2004 |others=Gomez |year=2006 |type=sleeve |publisher=Hut/Virgin Records |id=CDHUTD 87/00946 372061 2 6}} Liquid Skin was packaged with Bring It On as a two-CD combo in 2003.{{cite AV media notes |title=Liquid Skin / Bring It On |others=Gomez |year=2003 |type=sleeve |publisher=Virgin/Hut Records |id=8502122}} The band's first four studio albums and Five Men in a Hut: A's, B's and Rarities 1998–2004, were collected together as 5 Album Set in 2012.{{cite AV media notes |title=5 Album Set |others=Gomez |year=2012 |type=sleeve |publisher=EMI Records |id=50999 978415 2 4}} Liquid Skin was reissued in 2019 as a two-CD set that included a live show, demos, and alternative versions.{{cite AV media notes |title=Liquid Skin |others=Gomez |year=2019 |type=sleeve |publisher=Virgin EMI Records |id=7753419}} Ball had become the band's archivist and helped bring the reissue to fruition. Following this, the band toured across the UK and Australia, where they played the album in its entirety.{{cite web |last=Condon |first=Dan |title=Why Liquid Skin was Gomez at their best – Music Reads – Double J |url=https://www.abc.net.au/doublej/music-reads/features/gomez-liquid-skin-20th-anniversary/11505554 |url-status=live |publisher=ABC.net.au |date=13 September 2019 |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729113317/https://www.abc.net.au/doublej/music-reads/features/gomez-liquid-skin-20th-anniversary/11505554 |archive-date=29 July 2021}}{{cite web |last=Pryor |first=Sally |title=Listening to Gomez' Liquid Skin 20 years on is a real nostalgia trip |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6475573/listening-to-gomez-liquid-skin-after-20-years-is-peak-nostalgia/ |url-status=live |work=The Canberra Times |date=10 November 2019 |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730103754/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6475573/listening-to-gomez-liquid-skin-after-20-years-is-peak-nostalgia/ |archive-date=30 July 2021}}

{{Album ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=Liquid Skin – Gomez {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/liquid-skin-mw0000245603 |url-status=live |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=25 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725104940/https://www.allmusic.com/album/liquid-skin-mw0000245603 |archive-date=25 July 2021}}

| rev2 = Alternative Press

| rev2Score = 3/5{{cite magazine |title=Gomez: Liquid Skin |magazine=Alternative Press |issue=135 |pages=100–102 |date=October 1999}}

| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev3Score = A{{cite magazine |last=Sinclair|first=Tom |title=Liquid Skin (Virgin) |url=https://ew.com/article/1999/09/24/liquid-skin-virgin/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=24 September 1999 |access-date=16 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413092150/https://ew.com/article/1999/09/24/liquid-skin-virgin/ |archive-date=13 April 2019}}

| rev4 = The Guardian

| rev4Score = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite news |last=Cox |first=Tom |title=Gomez: Liquid Skin (Hut) |newspaper=The Guardian |date=17 September 1999}}

| rev5 = Los Angeles Times

| rev5Score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{cite web |last=Cromelin |first=Richard |title=Gomez Imaginatively Avoids Brit-Rock |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-sep-25-ca-14091-story.html |url-status=live |website=Los Angeles Times |date=25 September 1999 |access-date=16 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326175526/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-sep-25-ca-14091-story.html |archive-date=26 March 2020}}

| rev6 = NME

| rev6Score = 7/10{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Piers |title=Gomez – Liquid Skin |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19990809101059reviews.html |url-status=dead |website=NME |date=9 September 1999 |access-date=16 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817204625/http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19990809101059reviews.html |archive-date=17 August 2000}}

| rev7 = PopMatters

| rev7Score = 7.1/10{{cite web |last=Zupko |first=Sarah |title=Gomez: Liquid Skin |url=https://popmatters.com/music/reviews/g/gomez-liquid.html |url-status=dead |website=PopMatters |access-date=16 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030403014827/http://popmatters.com/music/reviews/g/gomez-liquid.html |archive-date=3 April 2003}}

| rev8 = Q

| rev8Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine |title=Gomez: Liquid Skin |magazine=Q |issue=157 |pages=112–113 |date=October 1999}}

| rev9 = Rolling Stone

| rev9Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Kot |first=Greg |author-link=Greg Kot |title=Gomez: Liquid Skin |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/gomez/albums/album/118416/review/5941550/liquid_skin |url-status=dead |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=14 October 1999 |access-date=16 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102163722/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/gomez/albums/album/118416/review/5941550/liquid_skin |archive-date=2 November 2007}}

| rev10 = Spin

| rev10Score = 8/10{{cite magazine |last=Gehr |first=Richard |title=Gomez: Liquid Skin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yjh_OmCmm-0C&pg=PA191 |magazine=Spin |volume=15 |issue=11 |pages=191–192 |date=November 1999 |access-date=5 January 2019}}

}}

Liquid Skin was met with generally favourable reviews from music critics. Tom Sinclair of Entertainment Weekly noted that the band had been referred to as roots rock, "but one listen to their sophomore CD shows they’re twisting those roots into strange and marvelous shapes". AllMusic reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine saw the album as a "cleaner, more streamlined version" of Bring It On, adding that they perform music "that they believe to be experimental or rootsy, but not quite going far enough in either direction". NME Piers Martin also found it to be "very much like" their debut, "only bigger, even more confident and with far better production".

Los Angeles Times writer Richard Cromelin said Gomez had "a free-ranging imagination, twisting and distorting and juxtaposing [their songs] with an exhilarating sense of freedom". PopMatters editor Sarah Zupko wrote that band had "picked up a few new studio tricks or two and rounded out their sound with fuller textures and better-produced mixes". She added that the "back-to-the-country-sounding songs" had a "trippy vibe," and were "just as good as ever". In a review for Rolling Stone, journalist Greg Kot wrote that "the arrangements on Liquid Skin are more substantial, beefed up with strings and horns, and the songs sturdier" than those on Bring It On.

"Bring It On" reached number 21 in singles chart. "Rhythm & Blues Alibi" reached number 18. "We Haven't Turned Around" reached number 38. CMJ New Music Report ranked the album at number 13 on their list of the Top 30 Editorial Picks of 1999.Sansome ed. 2000, p. 5 PopMatters included it on their Most Memorable Albums of the year list.{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/most-memorable-albums-1999-part4-2496042761.html|title=The Most Memorable Albums of 1999 (Part 4)|work=PopMatters|author=Langager, Ross|date=11 June 2020|access-date=30 July 2021|archive-date=27 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727213610/https://www.popmatters.com/most-memorable-albums-1999-part4-2496042761.html|url-status=live}}

1. "Hangover"  – 3:27
2. "Revolutionary Kind"  – 4:32
3. "Bring It On"  – 4:10
4. "Blue Moon Rising"  – 4:48
5. "Las Vegas Dealer"  – 3:55
6. "We Haven't Turned Around"  – 6:29
7. "Fill My Cup"  – 4:39
8. "Rhythm & Blues Alibi"  – 5:03
9. "Rosalita"  – 4:05
10. "California"  – 7:24
11. "Devil Will Ride"  – 6:56

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{{certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|title= Liquid Skin|artist=Gomez|type=album|relyear=1999|certyear=2001|region=Australia|award=Platinum|access-date=27 December 2021}}

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Citations

{{reflist}}

Sources

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book|last1=Hinton|first1=Brian|title=Country Roads: How Country Came to Nashville|date=2012|publisher=Bobcat Books|isbn=978-0857128447|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jzYDAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT735|access-date=1 September 2021|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901091848/https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Country_Roads_How_Country_Came_to_Nashvi/jzYDAwAAQBAJ?gbpv=1&pg=PT735|url-status=live}}
• {{cite magazine|editor-last=Sansome|editor-first=Glen|title=Top 30 Editorial Picks|magazine=CMJ New Music Report|date=10 January 2000|issue=649|volume=61|issn=0890-0795|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4wjPUdBdZZcC&pg=PA5|access-date=1 September 2021|archive-date=30 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730103757/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=4wjPUdBdZZcC&lpg=PA34&pg=PA5|url-status=live}}

{{refend}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lNzg7BDBBDxqvpyoubAyYvm0HQTifWiV8 Liquid Skin] (20th anniversary edition) at YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)

{{Gomez}}

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Category:Gomez (band) albums

Category:1999 albums

Category:Virgin Records albums

Category:Hut Records albums