Roman: Empire Track By Track Review
- Oct 1, 2017
- 7 min read
Empire is the debut album from Country Rock artist, Roman and I've got to admit, Country is one of the genres of music I listen to the least but if this is an example of how good Country music can be, then I think I should be listening to a lot more of it. After spending years of his career producing, writing, and providing studio-session work for countless NYC artists of many different genres, Roman finally geared up to record and release his first debut Album, "Empire". An album inspired by his love for New Orleans, jazz, country & rock. It's a personal album for Roman; a diary of songs expressed from his experiences as well as his every day life.
Empire has 11 songs and 10 of them are under 4 minutes long, in fact the longest song is actually exactly 4 minutes long.
When initially listening to this album I thought this would be perfect music for driving in the car or kicking back at home with a bottle of whiskey and a cigar. The album is very relaxing in my opinion and has amazing grooves and deep lyrics and the quality of the performances are top notch.
But now let's talk about the songs themselves.
The albums begins with the song, Come On Over Here, which opens with an acoustic guitar playing a strong groovy chord progression before Roman's powerful voice sets the tone for the album. From the off I could tell this was going to be an album full of powerful vocals, groovy progressions and A* musicianship. The song is about Roman's lust for a pretty girl while he's out drinking. This song is full of incredible hooks and lyrics which will stick in your head and you'll find yourself humming them long after you've finished listening to the album. If there is a perfect example of how to start an album, this could be it.
The album continues with the song, Boy From Salt Lake, and continues the same premise as the previous song, very memorable hooks, strong groove and great story telling from Roman. The song is about a Boy from Salt Lake travelling to the big city and being overwhelmed and trying to figure out and make his way in a huge place as opposed to the small town the boy is more used to. The song tells of the boys struggles and mistakes and learning experiences and eventually defeat of trying to make it in the big city and heading off back home.
The next song is called 'Not My Fault' and features Leecy T. The song is much quicker in pace to the previous songs and features some classic Country elements such as the use of Banjo while going more in a rock direction than County. The chorus hook and style could easily be wrote and performed by a whole host of bands and sounds familiar, yet fresh. The song features a rapping verse by Leecy T heading into the final section of the song, showing that Roman is a very versatile song writer and although this album is primarily Country Rock, this is Roman's fresh take on the genre and not just the same songs you've heard from countless other artists. This is definitely one of my favourites on the album.
The album continues with the song 'Saints' and is about a man losing his life in New Orleans and references the American Gospel Hymn, When The Saints Go Marching In.
This song is one of the slower songs and more ballad type songs on the album yet still has that familiar memorable groove. This song is another fine example of Roman's ability as a song writer and story teller. At this point of the album all I can think to myself is “Why doesn't the whole world know about this guy? Why isn't he performing on huge stages and arenas?” Although this being his debut album, I don't think it'll be long until the ears of some majors figures in the industry prick up and they hear the talent. This is only the 4th song on the album and in my opinion Roman is a star waiting to happen, and I know I won't be the only person to think that.
The album continues with song number 5 titled 'Only Love Remains' and is a story of 2 unlikely people who fell in love with each other, one was a 16 year old John who fell in love with a cheerleader called Fate. Neither would usually fall for each other but they did. This song has more of a pop rock feel to it while maintaining the Country style. Very memorable hooks and a song that people could sing along to and dance to live. A fantastic song and one I could see myself playing over and over again.
The album dials it back a bit for the albums title track 'Empire'. A more ballad type song featuring a slower tempo and soft piano melody. Even with the more ballad type songs, Roman still manages to bring high energy to the hooks and choruses, a theme heard throughout the album. Roman seems like an artist that if you heard a song of his, you know it's Roman immediately. No matter the song, feel or mood, Roman's style, flair, voice, song writing always has that familiar feel to it. Very identifiable and a trait I think is vital and it's a trait Roman definitely has.
The next song is called 'Dirty Bird' and Roman kicks things back up a gear with plenty of sexual innuendos as he sings about his lust for a woman. The song also features and incredible guitar solo with a very classic rock yet modern feel to it. Another example of the versatility Roman has a musician. The years Roman spent as a session musician definitely helped keep his song writing fresh and memorable as he is able to take inspiration from the different genres he's recorded music in and blend them into very memorable songs where each song is different yet familiar and each other takes you for a fun ride. I could see Dirty Bird being a single and could imagine it being a favourite during live performances, it has a great groove that would be great to dance to, in fact I was dancing in my chair as I was listening to it writing this review.
The album heads into the final stretch with song number 8 called 'Without You Here' and goes back to more his Country roots with plenty of banjo and harmonica in the song. The song carrys on the tradition heard throughout the album and great story telling and groovy melodies and hooks. The song is about a very broken relationship full of fighting, arguing and many times questioning the relationship. But despite all of this he wants nothing else but the 2 of them to be together and still being in love with her despite all the problems the relationship has. Very memorable song which I once again found myself dancing to as I wrote these words.
The album is in the final stretch now with just 3 songs remaining and song number 9 is the true ballad of the album. While other songs on the album have had a ballad feel to them, 'U – Me = 0' is a stripped back piano based songs and is about his relationship breaking down and his girlfriend leaving him and feeling empty and lost and incomplete without her. A very sad song that reminds you how an individual person is a fraction and 2 people coming together makes someone whole. A definite contender for a single. Very great song writing, I absolutely loved this song.
Despite the song being fantastic and it being a very emotional 3 minutes, the album can't end on a sad note so it's time to end on a high and happy note and song number 10 starts that, this song is 'No More'. This song has some funk influences, most heard by the guitar progression which has that Nile Rogers type of feel to it. While the last song was about being sad the relationship had ended, this song seems to continue being about that subject but this time with Roman accepting it and almost being glad that he doesn't have to deal with the constant arguing and problems and can now be free to live his life again.
The final song of the album is called 'Thank You' and is the perfect way to end the album. The song is about thanking the ones who love him for sticking with him, I'm going to assume maybe for helping him through the end of his relationship and almost reminds me a bit of an Irish folk type of song. It sounds like a drinking song with groups of friends coming together, drinking and singing this song together. I expected the album to end on more a fast paced note but in my opinion, the album couldn't have finished in a better way.
It's easy to forget this is the debut album from Roman, this album sounds like an album released by a seasoned veteran and I guess in a way Roman is that, with his many years spent recording music for other artists. But this is the first time we've heard Roman on his own and I don't think it'll be the last.
This album completely blew me away and I loved every second of listening to it.
I wouldn't be surprised if in a couple of years we could be sat watching TV and stumble across a show and the guest performer is Roman, whether it's on a show like the Tonight Show or maybe something like X Factor. I don't think this will be the last we hear from Roman and I predict he'll be a big star some day very soon.
Watch the video review below as well as the music video for 'Dirty Bird'.
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