It’s beyond apparent: The only way to commit artistic suicide is to limit yourself to one particular genre. There’s too much music and it’s too easy to download to be sitting in the garage hammering out System of a Down covers with some lame samples and effects.

Southport, England locals Gomez hit paydirt in 1998 with Bring It On – a unique genre-melding mix of funk, hippie-psychedelics, rock, folk and blues. Their recently released In Our Gun showcases more of that miasma of groove, but sometimes decays into electronic noodling when its strength lies elsewhere.

The title track is a superb example. What starts as a modest, conventional and so-very-sweet guitar and vocals-driven melody farts midway into PowerMan 5000 whizzes and nonsense. Goddammit – I hate a good song done wrong.

Gomez’s synthesis of the last 40 years of rock is notable, but the band’s ability to incorporate the latest in digital sampling lacks. Gomez can’t help but touch all the shiny studio knobs – and they do it at the wrong times more often than not.

Regardless, there are at least six good songs on In Our Gun. The album opens convincingly with “Shot, Shot,” a track that showcases alluring sax sounds. Songs like “Sound of Sounds” and “Army Dub” actually get the electronica right – solid beats layered with phat phaser effects and twisted reed instruments. And the lyrics perfectly complement the up-tempo, trip-hoppy house sound.

Despite Gomez’s genre-bending sound, the band manages to create something unique. Slip this into your stereo system when the party is winding down. At the very least, you will gain some instant respect from your Brit trad-rock buddies.

[Top 40 Dave is sensitive so you don’t have to be]