How We Operate
by Gomez
  • Record Label: ATO
  • Release Date: May 2, 2006
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 36
  3. Negative: 2 out of 36

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  1. PeteC
    May 10, 2006
    7
    Its pretty good, but for me Gomez reached a pinnacle with In Our Gun, I'll still get a lot out of this album but its not quite as unique
  2. MattD.
    May 5, 2006
    10
    Like much of indie, Gomez's How We Operate draws inspiration from the 60s and 70s. But its combination of indie and alt-country makes it sound fresher than most of the alt-country and indie out there. A couple of the ballads are less immediate than the rest of the material, but they grow on you.
  3. CalaC
    May 6, 2006
    10
    beautiful album, one to make you smile and enjoy the summer with.
  4. DavidZ
    May 9, 2006
    10
    I've been listening to this album for a couple days now...I've just kept pushing repeat over and over. After about 10 times through the album continues to intrigue me. Great stuff!
  5. AndyT
    Jul 8, 2006
    10
    Excellent album.
  6. JosephK
    Feb 21, 2007
    9
    Nearly perfect.
  7. SalP
    Oct 7, 2006
    10
    When we talk about Gomez its just about a band who love to do their music and they always give their best shot.HOW WE OPERATE is a complete album,great songs all over and a work that is a recap how tgeymatured over their 10 years carreer.This is al album for the fanbase,they dont care to gather more audience...you can see it at their gigs,there is passion and love for music from them and When we talk about Gomez its just about a band who love to do their music and they always give their best shot.HOW WE OPERATE is a complete album,great songs all over and a work that is a recap how tgeymatured over their 10 years carreer.This is al album for the fanbase,they dont care to gather more audience...you can see it at their gigs,there is passion and love for music from them and from the fans...its great… Expand
  8. PatM
    May 3, 2006
    10
    So far the best album I've heard this year. There is no filler. Each song is a meticulously crafted pop jem. This album should make Gomez a household name but alas it won't get the promotion it deserves and will only be known to fans of good music who are few and far between.
  9. ThomasL
    May 30, 2006
    8
    This is the first time I've listened to Gomez. Nice album. Reminds me a lot of Del Amitri, another favourite of mine. Comparisons with the Band are valid also.
  10. marc
    May 4, 2006
    10
    Gomez were the first band I ever saw live back in the bring it on days. I was in awe and my love for music inspired by, in my opinion, the best british band of my teenage years. After hearing their single How we operate I imediately bought the album on import (for some strange reason the british release isn't until June). What an awesome album. Their music has developed over the Gomez were the first band I ever saw live back in the bring it on days. I was in awe and my love for music inspired by, in my opinion, the best british band of my teenage years. After hearing their single How we operate I imediately bought the album on import (for some strange reason the british release isn't until June). What an awesome album. Their music has developed over the years much to the tune of my own musical tastes. I feel as inspired as i did back when I first heard bring it on. Buy this album.… Expand
  11. JeffF
    May 8, 2006
    8
    This is Gomez showing us How To Operate in the corporate radio world. Fans of Gomez will immediately sense the album is not everything Gomez can be, but it will attract a lot of new fans who will suddenly understand how amazing this band is.
  12. Jac
    Sep 30, 2006
    10
    This album is amazing.
  13. JoshuaL
    Jan 8, 2007
    9
    Gomez continues to show off their talents with this new CD combining elements from all their other CD's while still showing us that they always have some new trick up their sleeve. It's "classic" rock with that funky idie twist we all love Gomez for.
  14. IanB
    May 17, 2006
    8
    A good Gomez album on first listen, but a great Gomez album gets better every listen, unlike this set of solid pop tunes. Definitely not a Gomez vintage which will ripen with age.
  15. AndyB
    May 5, 2006
    10
    Like all great albums, this one gets finer with each listen. Gomez has firmly established themselves -- with adventurousness, innovation, and constant re-invention -- as the Beatles of their generation.
  16. bobd
    May 5, 2006
    10
    shit hot!!!!!!
  17. OttoZ
    Nov 29, 2006
    7
    These guys don't know how to make a bad album. But this is certainly not the best. Some clunky songs, a lot of high school style lyrics bring it well below their normally high bar. Of course, some standouts here that make it worthwhile.
  18. ReubenF
    Dec 18, 2006
    8
    A return to form for a band that once had the potential to be the best in the Indie scene - perhaps they still can be? Their trade mark laid back sound and sophisticated arrangements are well represented in this album. None of the songs really jump out at you, but they have a beautiful quality sorta similar to early REM in appeal.
  19. Charlie
    May 14, 2006
    7
    I'm not sure how I feel about this album. Is it good? Yes. Is it catchy? Yes. Does it capture those little things that gives Gomez personality? No. I guess what I am saying is that the album is too polished. Gomez is best when they get a little sloppy and I don't see that on this album. They sound like they are trying too hard and in the process lost a part of themselves.
  20. MoB.
    May 18, 2006
    9
    Brad P is joyless and needs to get laid. Invite your girl over, throw the new Gomez on, and maybe your mind will open up just a little more than your rear end. Wait...same locale.
  21. AlbertM
    May 19, 2006
    10
    I guess people like Brad P are rally fit to the definition "disgrace to music". Anyway, he's the one who misses it. Gomez prooves once again why it's one of the best -and more underrated- bands of the last decade. Just listen to the album, it's all you need to do.
  22. TrondD
    Jun 13, 2006
    9
    Incredibly great record, and far better than their previous Split the Difference.
  23. milliem
    Jul 14, 2006
    10
    Jeez -- I guess this album was bound to get mediocre reviews because it's upbeat and accessible and therefore a great "sell out". Pay no attention to Pitchfork. This is a fantastic pop album: smart, sweet, well-produced, diverse, and (it seems to me) more emotionally authentic than previous Gomez records. Yes, it's a departure for Gomez (particularly the huge Tom Gray influence) Jeez -- I guess this album was bound to get mediocre reviews because it's upbeat and accessible and therefore a great "sell out". Pay no attention to Pitchfork. This is a fantastic pop album: smart, sweet, well-produced, diverse, and (it seems to me) more emotionally authentic than previous Gomez records. Yes, it's a departure for Gomez (particularly the huge Tom Gray influence) but it's entirely possible to adore both How We Operate and In Our Gun.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Billboard
    90
    The finest and most listener-friendly album of Gomez's 10-year career.
    Read full review
  2. ShakingThrough.net
    60
    How We Operate earns points for stylistic adventurousness but, unlike In Our Gun, doesn’t meet its self-imposed challenge with the strongest batch of tunes.
    Read full review
  3. AllMusic
    80
    How We Operate is strong, focused, and a complete pleasure to engage; its maturity and confidence is beyond anything they've released thus far, and the experimentalism brought into play on their other albums is here.
    Read full review
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