Rome - L’Assassin

Title: L’Assassin
Artist: Rome
Genre: Folk, Acoustic
Release Date: 29th January 2010
Label: Trisol



EP Review

After releasing the full-length album `Flowers from Exile´ and the EP `To Die Among Strangers´ last year, Luxembourg-based duo ROME now has a new EP entitled with `L’Assassin´ up to its sleeves. Including the four tracks `L’Assassin´, `One Flesh´, `Der Brandtaucher´ and `Der Erscheinungen Flucht´, the current piece of work is able to captivate the listener with dreamy strings, melancholic vocals and a clearly audible affinity to big names such as NICK CAVE. In my opinion, the gradually built up title track is the undeniable highlight of this release, as the dragging, sonorous vocals perfectly merge with the firstly minimalistic soundscape which is soon underlined by poetic strings arrangements and acoustic guitars.

I guess, the new EP doesn’t differ that much from previous ROME stuff in musical respects, since I have always experienced this music for being profound and passionate combining subtle instruments with weighty thoughts. The second track `One Flesh´ is opened up by fragile violin sounds and a spare bass line leading over to a heart-wrenching refrain. This time, singer Jerome Reuter’s dignified vocals evoke images of LEONARD COHEN. Compared to the other songs, `Der Brandtaucher´ is a quite lively, rhythmic and dynamic piece coming up with an orchestral melody and forceful vocals. Finishing up this release, `Der Erscheinungen Flucht´ is a calm ballad which is introduced by an acoustic guitar until harmonious strings offer to feel comforted and somehow safe and sound. Thus, `L’Assassin´ confirms ROME’s complexity again and is absolutely recommendable for those who enjoy the music of melancholic acoustic folk representatives.


Tracklist