From the moment the British band Gene landed on the front of British music tabloids such as NME, comparisons to the Smiths were inevitable. Lead singer Martin Rossiter's voice invokes comparisons to Smiths' frontman Morrissey, the music on their debut album Olympian at times seemed a tribute to guitar wizard Johnny Marr, and even the band's name (a possible mispelling of the B-side to "This Charming Man" - "Jeane") was cited by conspiracy theorists as an allusion to the Smiths.
On the band's second disc, Drawn To The Deep End, Gene simultaneously break some of the comparisons to their British forefathers while reinforcing others. From a musical standpoint, Deep End witnesses the band exploring areas which were off-limits on their previous release. "We Could Be Kings" opens with a U2-like guitar ("One"), and returns to a traditional rock melody which could come from any of a number of talented groups - neither including or excluding the Smiths. "Fighting Fit" showcase the melodic side of Gene in a song about the sexual fit tearing Rossiter apart. "Voice Of The Father" rocks with the fury of a garage pop band, breaking down in the middle for a brief interlude before jolting the listener again with its bravado. Jack Hues helps out with some string and brass arrangements on the album, and the Hammond organ and mellotron are included on several tracks.
But yet...there's something which draws the group back to the Smiths. "Why I Was Born" could have been an alternate take for "Asleep", and the lyrical content of this album keeps returning to the Smiths. "I can not stand alone / I'm incapable of breathing / Incapable of love" is the refrain to the key track, "Where Are They Now?" These words might easily have come from Morrissey's lips, though he may have playfully juxtaposed the first phrase to read "I can not stand myself". Rossiter acknowledges there is hope for the future, while questioning whether his past friends will be there at the moment he needs them most.
Similarities abound between Rossiter and Morrissey. See "The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get" and contrast that with further lyrics from "Where Are They Now?" - "You said that I should stop trying to call you / You've had it up to here / I know your sort / but I just can't ignore you". The personnas of both men can be easily compared; Rossiter, although admitting to liking both men and women, doesn't want to be tied down to any *label*...and anyone who has read or witnessed a Morrissey soundbite can vouch for his distaste for any sexual labels, with periodic self-professions for similar likings.
The remainder of Drawn To The Deep End revolves around love (and lack thereof), questioning the future, and insecurity. Similarities to Marr and Morrissey notwithstanding, Gene have taken the first steps to firmly establishing their own independent identity. A new generation who didn't grow up with the Smiths can look towards Gene to be their musical savior - recommended for followers of British music who don't want to hear recycled and repackaged versions of the Beatles.
