Sifting Through The Rubble

Society is rotting, eaten away by greed, injustice, hypocrisy and conformity. The good news? Earth's demise might be coming sooner than expected. With songs that have sparked comparisons to Radiohead, Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave, Ian Curtis, Pink Floyd and The Doors, the album takes listeners on a dark, lonely journey, from today's turbulence ('The 99,' 'Road To Ruin,' 'Violins Violence Silence,' 'Corporation Nation') to tomorrow's apocalypse ('Little Ball of Hate,' 'Sifting Through The Rubble,' 'Last Man On Earth'). There's plenty of macabre, gallows humour along the way. Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals) adds harmonies to 'Invasion of the Pod People,' Laetitia Sadier (Stereolab) on 'The Day The Clown Cried' and Wendy Flower (of legendary psych-folk duo Wendy & Bonnie) on 'Be Seeing You,' 'Undertow,' 'Somewhere in the Stars' and the record's sunniest tune, 'Contemplating Suicide.' Co-producer Adam Rossi (Luce) describes it as music that might have resulted from Sergio Leone commissioning Ennio Morricone, The Flaming Lips and Lou Reed to score his sci-fi epic. It's a musical and emotional roller coaster ride. Musicians included the project's songwriter/co-producer, Paul Freeman, lead vocals, acoustic guitar (journalist/screenwriter); Gawain Mathews, lead guitar (Mickey Hart Band, Ben Lee, Tim Hockenberry); Ezra Lipp, drums and percussion (Kacey Johansing, Sean Hayes, Huckle, Brett Dennen); 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). 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, we can at least enjoy listening to romper. The end of the world has never been so much fun. REVIEWS Chris Epting, pop culture author/journalist 'Sifting Through The Rubble the album debut by Bay Area band, romper, may be moody and melancholy and introspective in parts, but those qualities add layers that seem more beautiful, ethereal and mysterious rather than frightening. From top to bottom, this 18-song epic runs the sonic gamut from the aforementioned mood pieces such as Be Seeing You and The Neighborhood, to glam-era sparklers like One of the Wanted and sinewy roots rockers, i.e. 'Road to Ruin.' There is a brooding undercurrent to be sure, but the startling and dynamic range of romper is a testament to what must be very deep pools of influence - psychedelia meets garage meets poetic folk meets metal meets grunge - and the sharp contrast of musical styles coupled with smart, evocative wordplay make for a thoroughly satisfying musical journey. There is a river's rush of fresh, cool and strangely engaging music on this record - and I think it is well worth getting lost in it's eddies.' IndieBandsBlog.com ''Sifting Through the Rubble - the title gives a clue as to the gravitational pull of the tracks, which focus on social inequalities current and the apocalyptic end of the world. But don't let the tone of the lyric get you despondent, whilst thematically the music is in tune with the lyric, there is plenty on the 18 track release and just in general to concentrate the mind. 'The musicians are used intelligently as the sounds wanders from space Bowie through Reed alternative to Morricone shoegaze each style subtly daubed in the paints of the instruments as the lyric holds centre stage to the carefully composed and orchestrated pieces. That isn't to say that this is a major theatrical production, far from it, there is a genuine emotional anxiety which holds the core of the out-fit that is Romper.' babysue.com'Romper - Sifting Through The Rubble (CD, Rompytown, Pop) We were immediately drawn to this band and album...the image and overall concept caught our attention fast. Apocalyptic pop with various verbal and visual references to kids? Hmmm...interesting. Of course the name Romper is a huge plus as well. To try and describe