Album Review: Gobotron’s On Your Mark, Get Set…
By Lindsey Darden
The solo project of Manchester Orchestra‘s lead guitarist Robert McDowell serves as much as a fair example of a rock production as it does a message on self-propulsion. Gobotron – the professional pet name of sorts assumed by McDowell during this extension of his talents – gives us less of an alternate identity and more of an indirect tidbit of advice. The outcome is not certain, and is therefore further symbolized by the album’s title – On Your Mark, Get Set…. Do we win? Do we trip yet still cross the finish line? Well, if we don’t go, we’ll never know, will we?
One question that comes to mind is exactly how McDowell is able to have the energetic wherewithal to release an album while he is currently on tour with Manchester Orchestra (and will appear to be until at least early Spring). According to McDowell, however, what fueled the idea – let alone an entire album – was having the time while off-tour to putter around in his parents’ basement, until an album was born. Apparently – if only sometimes – it’s just that easy… except, not really. Having the time to divide between touring and the albums post-production was of the take-it-or-leave-it sort.
In the end, the ten-track endeavor is a pop-driven yet rock-heavy package laced with traces of Elliot Smith and perhaps a little John Lennon; a mix of classic and modern rock styles with smooth harmonies, social and personal commentaries – all the juicy stuff. While not life-changing, it definitely doesn’t detract from the sharp, colorful side of music. And it goes without saying that if it weren’t for McDowell’s response to the nagging of the passing of time, we wouldn’t have yet another album to dissect and be at least gain a little inspiration from.
Gobotron’s On Your Mark, Get Set… is available for digital download on Favorite Gentlemen Records. It is also available for free streaming here.
Track List
01.Nothing
02.Nice Things
03.I Don’t Forgive
04.Never Turn Around
05. Got It!
06. Cobbler
07. Empty
08. I Lied
09. Pull It Too
10. Gold
