Gomez has been one of my favorite bands since I first heard the album "Liquid Skin" back in 1999. For the life of me, I cannot understand why they're not more popular. They have a die hard following of fans, but they haven't broken through to become a household name. I can count on one hand the number of times I've heard a Gomez tune on the radio. Maybe that's a good thing, because I can still get to see the band play smaller, more intimate venues like the Wiltern in Los Angeles.

Gomez played the Wiltern last night and it was one of the best concerts I've ever seen, right up there with Metallica at Foxborough Stadium in 1993; Phish at (hard to pick one, but here goes...) the University of Virginia in 1994; Rush at Great Woods in 1997; Radiohead at Suffolk Downs in 2001; Wilco at the Orpheum in 2002; and Los Lobos every time they play the Paradise in Boston.

The first Gomez show I saw in New York years ago probably belongs in that list too, but last night's show was better. It reminded me why, with Phish retiring, there is no better live band than Gomez. They jam, they improvise, and they play with an infectious enthusiasm rarely seen by most acts today. Some of the highlights of last night's gig included kicking the show off with "Here Comes the Breeze," rocking, jam-filled renditions of "How We Operate" and "Blue Moon Rising," and an encore of "Devil Will Ride," which might be my favorite tune.

I love this band and everything about them!