Album Review: Gobotron - On Your Mark, Get Set...

Manchester Orchestra guitarist, Robert McDowell is the latest member to step out of his day job with his side-project, Gobotron. 'On Your Mark, Get Set...' in some ways is a Manchester Orchestra record, in terms of tone (especially and unsurprisingly the guitar). Although tracks like 'Nothing' and 'I Don't Forgive' may sound familiar, 'Never Turns Around' hints a more positive, modern rock sound, as McDowell develops a formula, which combines MO's favourable guitar tone with pop-like sensibilities.

Throughout you get the feeling this is McDowell on his own, however this isn't a bad thing, as tracks like 'Got It', 'I Lied' and 'Cobbler shows he has been left to his own devices, which has enabled him to provide a (kind of) 90's DIY alt-rock tone that is favourable. Whilst 'Empty' is slightly experimental. Nevertheless McDowell firmly realises that it his guitar work that drives this album.

To summarise Gobotron would be to say 'On Your Mark, Get Set...' is a record for those who like all things Manchester Orchestra (and all things Favorite Gentlemen), that allows McDowell to show himself as a songwriter and artist in a good light, and one that hints at the possibility for Gobotron to go full-time in the future.

3.5/5

'On Your Mark, Get Set...' by Gobotron is available now on Favorite Gentlemen Recordings.

Gobotron on MySpace

Sean Reid