"The 99" Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J85razXEXs
The end of the world is coming....
And you're going to love every minute.
"Sifting Through The Rubble"
The debut album from
romper
Amidst global chaos, one burning question rings out from continent to continent...
Who... or what is romper? Is romper a toy? A boy? A boy-toy? Is romper a baby? A man? A baby-man? A musical? A mystery? A musical mystery?
Perhaps a visitor from another time? Another place?
Eternally three years old, romper and his merry band hail from the idyllic planet Edenus. During their galaxy-trekking adventures, they stumbled upon a tragically comical little place called Earth. It happened to be on the verge of self-induced annihilation.
Romper and the other wee ones discovered two wonderments not known on the otherwise perfect Edenus - marshmallows and rock music. They immediately stuffed their tiny, chubby cheeks, picked up instruments and began to play original tunes. Instead of relying on their native squeaking language, they sang in English. Earthlings who heard it, said the music conjured echoes of Radiohead, Pink Floyd, Leonard Cohen, Ian Curtis and The Doors.
As subject matter for his songs, romper, a stranger in a strange land, contemplated what he found most bemusing - war, environmental disaster, inequality, injustice, cruelty, greed, apathy, narcissism, hypocrisy, conformity and suicide. Death - what a quaint concept! Fortunately, he knew that a cool beat was required, as well. So romper (with interpreter Paul Freeman) and friends assembled an album called “Sifting Through The Rubble,” foreseeing the Earth’s dark future.
A gifted producer, Adam Rossi (Luce, Megan Slankard, Brad Wolfe) teamed with romper to bring the work to fruition. Rossi said romper’s album reminded him of what would result from Sergio Leone asking The Flaming Lips and Lou Reed to score a sci-fi epic. This diverse rock music is the alternative to alternative.
Many talents helped with the project. Adding harmonies were Wendy Flower (Wendy & Bonnie), Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals, Neon Neon) and Laetitia Sadier (Stereolab, Monade). Musicians included Paul Freeman, lead vocals, acoustic guitar (journalist/screenwriter/songwriter); Gawain Mathews, lead guitar (Mickey Hart Band, Ben Lee, Tim Hockenberry); Ezra Lipp, drums and percussion (Kacey Johansing, Sean Hayes, Huckle, Thao Nguyen); Paul Olguin, electric and acoustic bass (Mary Wells, Victor Krummenacher, Bob Weir, Mazzy Star, Maria Muldaur), Savannah Jo Lack, electric and acoustic violin (Alanis Morissette, Rod Stewart, Ruth Gerson) and Joe Cohen, saxophone, clarinet (Thomas Dolby, Jazz Mafia, Pamela Rose).
As a teaser, romper released a single, “The 99,” an explosive, Green Day/Who-ish rocker. Denizens of Edenus wouldn’t understand the idea of the bloated “1” ruling the struggling “99.’ In their society, 100 percent enjoy the the fruits.
Perhaps this album can serve as a wake-up call. But it’s not easy to wake the dead. Oh, well. Before we’re reduced to rubble, let’s at least have fun listening to romper, before he heads back to his cheerier, saner, safer home planet.
Who... or what is romper? Is romper a toy? A boy? A boy-toy? Is romper a baby? A man? A baby-man? A musical? A mystery? A musical mystery?
Perhaps a visitor from another time? Another place?
Eternally three years old, romper and his merry band hail from the idyllic planet Edenus. During their galaxy-trekking adventures, they stumbled upon a tragically comical little place called Earth. It happened to be on the verge of self-induced annihilation.
Romper and the other wee ones discovered two wonderments not known on the otherwise perfect Edenus - marshmallows and rock music. They immediately stuffed their tiny, chubby cheeks, picked up instruments and began to play original tunes. Instead of relying on their native squeaking language, they sang in English. Earthlings who heard it, said the music conjured echoes of Radiohead, Pink Floyd, Leonard Cohen, Ian Curtis and The Doors.
As subject matter for his songs, romper, a stranger in a strange land, contemplated what he found most bemusing - war, environmental disaster, inequality, injustice, cruelty, greed, apathy, narcissism, hypocrisy, conformity and suicide. Death - what a quaint concept! Fortunately, he knew that a cool beat was required, as well. So romper (with interpreter Paul Freeman) and friends assembled an album called “Sifting Through The Rubble,” foreseeing the Earth’s dark future.
A gifted producer, Adam Rossi (Luce, Megan Slankard, Brad Wolfe) teamed with romper to bring the work to fruition. Rossi said romper’s album reminded him of what would result from Sergio Leone asking The Flaming Lips and Lou Reed to score a sci-fi epic. This diverse rock music is the alternative to alternative.
Many talents helped with the project. Adding harmonies were Wendy Flower (Wendy & Bonnie), Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals, Neon Neon) and Laetitia Sadier (Stereolab, Monade). Musicians included Paul Freeman, lead vocals, acoustic guitar (journalist/screenwriter/songwriter); Gawain Mathews, lead guitar (Mickey Hart Band, Ben Lee, Tim Hockenberry); Ezra Lipp, drums and percussion (Kacey Johansing, Sean Hayes, Huckle, Thao Nguyen); Paul Olguin, electric and acoustic bass (Mary Wells, Victor Krummenacher, Bob Weir, Mazzy Star, Maria Muldaur), Savannah Jo Lack, electric and acoustic violin (Alanis Morissette, Rod Stewart, Ruth Gerson) and Joe Cohen, saxophone, clarinet (Thomas Dolby, Jazz Mafia, Pamela Rose).
As a teaser, romper released a single, “The 99,” an explosive, Green Day/Who-ish rocker. Denizens of Edenus wouldn’t understand the idea of the bloated “1” ruling the struggling “99.’ In their society, 100 percent enjoy the the fruits.
Perhaps this album can serve as a wake-up call. But it’s not easy to wake the dead. Oh, well. Before we’re reduced to rubble, let’s at least have fun listening to romper, before he heads back to his cheerier, saner, safer home planet.