Roman Evening is essentially the combined forces of Adam Klein (vocals) and Michael Mullen (piano, organ, keyboards, guitar, synth). The duo enlisted five more musicians, two of which are from American Music Club, who all helped to develop these songs over the course of two and a half years. The result is an intimate affair, ranging from grand to minimalism.
Name-dropping artists such as Yo La Tengo, Nick Cave, Sparklehorse, and Mercury Rev in their press release, I nearly got a musical boner just thinking about what sounds may be on the album. Although, I really shouldn't have expected anything in the first place, the album didn't quite hold up to what I had falsely assumed.
The music is typically snail-paced, basking in light drumming, quiet guitar lines, legato basslines, and the good ol' ebony & ivory. Adam Klein's voice is one that takes time to get used to. He enunciates every word as if he were being graded in pronunciation-- think an older, whinier Wayne Coyne with a Yorke-esque vibrato. The music constantly positions the vocal melodies in the driver seat; although in the rare instrumental moments, the album seems the most emotive.
Together Now's most creative song is "Comfort Bringers," which fuses three songs into a nine-minute masterpiece a la "Happiness Is A Warm Gun." The first section "Comfort Bringers" starts the piece on an upbeat, happy note. At three minutes, a creepy yet hopeful mood seeps through on the second section "Come Slow." Minor piano and keyboard tones muscle into the mix during this section, providing the perfect compliment to the beginning section. Around the five minute mark, the happier tones reappear in the final section, "Isn't That Light." Pregnant with beautiful piano lines and an interesting trumpet solo, "Comfort Bringers" single-handedly saves the album.
There are a couple other strong songs such as the somber "Together Now," with it's falsetto vocals and music that floats with ease and sophistication; and "Retreat (reprise)," with its haunting piano lines and droning low-end. But the rest of the album is not as brilliant. Ranging from forgettable tunes to sub par attempts at modest beauty, the rest of the album leaves little lasting impression.
However, this is Roman Evening's debut album. The band prove fully capable of writing some very interesting, heartfelt songs. Maybe in another two and a half years, the group will capitalize on the stronger moments and surprise us with an even more daring album.
1. Let's Take It Back
2. Retreat
3. So Completely
4. Analyst to the Nation
5. Whatever Called You
6. How Will You Know Me?
7. Together Now
8. Comfort Bringers (i Comfort Bringers ii Come Slow iii Isn't That Light)
9. Retreat (reprise)
More about: Roman Evening
