| CD REVIEW Burn Down Rome |
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Band : Burn Down Rome London based and formed in 2005 by singer Jacob Cade, guitarist Max Mansson, bassist Nick Rothwell Jones and drummer Jonathan "Jonny" Rogers, this foursome is now down to their second release. Among their influences, the band counts the likes of At The Drive In, Refused, The Smiths, Joy Division, Botch, Mogwai, and everything in between, which they blend into a fine and varied mixture of Post-Metal, Post-Rock, Experimental music, Sludge, and Hardcore...and in February 2007 they recorded their debut 5-track mini-CD Faith In Liars, Faith In Thieves, which got released later the same year through British Indie label Thirty Days Of Night (whom apparently have a fine nose for upcoming talents, as they also were the first to give Sheffield's Bring Me The Horizon their first chance – and as it so happens, BMTH were also picked up by Visible Noise). The release got the band raving reviews from the British press [some of which I will not withold you: "...Impassioned, invigorating and utterly awesome...anventurous slabs of Post Rock inspired Hardcore..." (Rocksound Magazine); "...One of the most exciting and intelligent Rock bands in Britain today..." (Big Cheese Magazine)] and a new deal with Visible Noise...definitely a step up the music business ladder! In spite of the maturity one would suspect from the band's musical influences, the guys are actually quite young. The band's line-up has been temporarily augmented with a second guitarist by the name of Ash in February 2008 (so-called because Max would've left, but pictures from the era still show the latter in his spot), but that didn't hold, as the current line-up is still the original one! BDR's new and full-length offering was recorded and mixed at The Inner Station studio in Kent by producer Ben Phillips, and then mastered in Sweden. Full-length may be a big word, as the CD only lasts just under 32 minutes, but the 9 tracks bring a background of a wide variety to Jake's somewhat depressed/depressing vocal stylings. I have to admit that at the first listening session I fell through several states of emotion: the short (only 58 seconds) sludgy opening instrumental "Michael" made me anticipate the best things for what was to come, but then I was taken aback by the singer's vocal signature, which was not to my liking at all...at first (I believe I even thought something like "What a pathetic whiner!")...but continuing with something I was busy with on the side, I soon found myself unknowingly nodding my head along with the music, which simply has an hypnotic effect! When I became aware of the fact, I went back to giving the music a serious listening session, came to understand what that weird singing voice was up to in the whole of BDR's music...and started loving the band as a whole for what they are. To tell you the truth, I now plan to go out and order the band's debut mini-album to add it to my collection!, that's how I feel about these Londoners now! I've searched the Internet for more info, but there's really not much more I found than what I've told you above. At myspace.com/burndownrome, you'll find mp3-samples for the tracks "Xo" (weird title, uh?) and "Apathy" (more accessible, it was already played by DJ Dan Carter on Radio One). Together, these songs do nót give you an full idea of the band's diversity, but at least you get a whiff of the possibilities, and you've gotten acquainted with the strange but appallingly attractive vocal stylings of the singer! Yeah, I'm afraid this one is finding a truly cosy niche in one of those "Best Albums Of 200!" liste of mine! 98/100 Tony. |