There are certain albums that go with certain situations. For example, if it’s a hot summer day and I’m having a few over the yard arm I’ll always go with The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein by Parliament. Or if I’m in the mood to beat the crap out of something I always feel like you can’t go wrong with Slayer’s Reign In Blood. For every moment there is a record that fits the situation perfectly.
Such is the case with the self-titled debut from British Rock band, Rome is Burning.
This is an album that is perfect for travelling. From the get go, Rome is Burning illicit a response in me that I haven’t had since I quit the road over twenty years ago, and that is to pack all my shit into a backpack, crank this ip to 10, stick my thumb out and hitch a ride to some crazy ass adventure in some crazy ass town.
It’s almost as if it’s ingrained in every note of Rome is Burning’s self-titled debut and it takes me back to the wild days of the 1990s, where I lived a Nomadic existence and was a lot happier for it.
This is not by chance. Rome is Burning have a 90s vibe to them that isn’t nostalgia, but an understanding of what was – in my humble opinion – the nost important musical movement since the 1960s.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge punk fan, but the 90s didn’t just effect rock and heavy metal with the explosion of grunge and the rising of alternative music across the world, it also brought the world Brit Pop, and while I’d never say thaf Rome is Burning are influenced by the like of Oasis and Blur, I can definitely hear the undercurrent of the Sterophonics sprinkled throught their work.
It would have also been easy for Rome is Burning to try and ride the wave of the grunge revival I see at least attempting to gain traction in the underground scene, but even though there are influences of the Seattle sound within their DNA, they also mix it in with an understanding of a good tune and a dose of Desert Rock.
It’s not as obvious as some bands – especially not the ones who are around and are, y’know, Desert Rock – but there are moments when Chris Flanagan, Leigh Oates, Stu Beardshaw, and Pete Smyth hit their flow and it has that QOTSA Songs For The Deaf feel and vibe to it. And as that albums is one of the greatest Heavy Rock albums ever made, then it ain’t a bad thing.
This is a driving record. This is a record that you slap on when you need the wind in your hair and the world at your back. This is an album that shuns inertia for perpetual motion.
This is a bloody good debut and a bloody good Heavy Rock album, and one that I have no doubt that when my wanderlust rears it’s ugly head, and the lure of the road falls upon me, will be playing in my headphones as I disappear over the horizion.
Rome is Burning’s self-titled debut is out September 1st.
CHOICE CUT: Under Attack.
RATING: 3.5 OUT OF 5
RATING SYSTEM:
- 0: Fucking Shit
- 1: Shit
- 2: Not Bad Shit
- 3: Pretty Good Shit
- 4: Amazing Fucking Shit
- 5: The Best Shit You Will Ever Hear
PRESS SOURCE Cátia C./Against PR.
