Starts Out Lush and Accomplished and Then It Lets Loose Nicely…

This collection starts off a 14-song set with a sublime, spacey, ambient and strong tune in “Let the Light Go Through You.” It’s from Romantica’s fourth album – Shadowlands.

At first I was hesitant, I thought it would be some lame bunch of dreamy songs with whiney vocals but I was pleasantly surprised. There is lots here to recommend it. First, lead singer and front man Ben Kyle has a commanding voice and doesn’t over use it. He knows about inflection, phrasing, pacing and precision. These songs are emotionally charged, like their info sheet states. The writing is sharp and, of course, me being me, I pick out the similarities from past artists and bands. But, that’s meant to be helpful…to be a point of reference. These bands I mention, are all excellent so it’s nothing but a compliment to be spoken about in the same sentence as these artists.

The second tune “Harder To Heal,” continues with the lush approach but maintains music that is melodic, the vocals are nothing but sincere, and the songs are actually compelling.

The sound in and of itself — with the chosen arrangements are reminiscent of an excellent Irish band called The Prayer Boat that goes back to the late 1980’s and they performed similar songs to Romantica and their lead vocalist – Emmett Tinley – who possesses a lilting tenor that soars the same as Ben provides for his songs was a very respected group. These two bands are like cousins. Prayer Boat attracted a cult following and were signed by a major label during their era. Their wondrous tune “Saved” reminds me of how Ben’s vocal is also able to shift from high and low seamlessly.

On the other side of the spectrum, “Give Your Heart a Shelter,” reminds me a little more of the atmospheric / soulful Paul Buchanan band — The Blue Nile – a Scottish band (“A Walk Across the Rooftops,” “Hats”) that was widely lauded by critics and their songs were also widely acclaimed. Their lead vocalist is a little deeper than Ben and they rely more heavily on piano, mood and a touch of lounge jazz. Unlike Romantica (right now) they use cornet and trumpets for mild effects. But their lyrical subject matter is the same as Romantica with very few clichés, wasteful word toss-offs, and there is an imaginative twist in their tunes that is attractive. Romantica — does the same and in its own modernized way. There is a hint of needing to say something and say it like no one else has. What does that mean? It means that Romantica may be from the soil of Prayer Boat and The Blue Nile — but, their flowers grow differently.

Romantica also reminds me of another band Johnny Hates Jazz, when they sang and performed songs such as the marvelous “My Foolish Heart,” which has the singing and hypnotic melody that is so rest assured now in the hands of Romantica. Fortunately, however, Romantica has not introduced any heavy reliance on electronics. They are still pure bred. Hope they stay that way.

Here comes the surprise: for some reason, Romantica despite having started their album off with the softest, most poignant tunes – and leading a listener to believe it’s what they’re going to listen to basically for 14 tracks. But you would be wrong.

By track four “Cecil Ingram Conor,” Romantica introduces jazzy pianos, drums and guitars that unleash and a wild brilliant track allows Romantica to bare its teeth. This is great, even Elvis is cited in the lyric and the PR tells us it’s a tribute to Gram Parsons. Gram should be pleased with this since he was one of the founding fathers of country-rock. Yes! This band has energy and the LP starts to really pick up in a different genre entirely.

As an aside for credibility, Romantica opened in 2009 for Alejandro Escovedo – amateurs wouldn’t open for an artist like this. Romantica was worthy.

“Lonely Star,” really gets away from the lush and explores wonderfully melodic country music. Even though Ben still uses his softer vocal — it’s in that Gram Parsons tradition and the addition of harmonica and guitar is a beauty. Listen carefully to the lyric of this one, it tells a great story cleverly and it’s contemporary. This is what I enjoy about an accomplished group of musicians who have the benefit of good writing and arrangements. These songs from track 4 and are not in the realm of Prayer Boat or Blue Nile. These are entrenched in the Parsons tradition with a twist of Romantica magic.

Ben Kyle plays guitar and harmonica, Tony Zaccardi provides bass and backing vocals, Danger Dave Strahan plays guitar as well, Ryan Lovan is on drums, Aaron Fabbrini whines beautifully on pedal steel guitar (“Here It Comes”) and Dobro. Jayanthi Kyle adds some backing vocals and Peter Schimke-McCabe is on the keys (that’s piano).

On “Here It Comes,” – this one is laid way back. With Aaron’s pedal steel and Ben’s dynamic vocals this is a winner on all fronts. Strong, spiritual, and dramatic in excellent ways. This is one of the best tracks on the collection and the way the band managed to keep it light until the strength was needed – well, it shows a real musical professionalism that’s for sure.

“After the War,” continues in the country vein, and the pedal steel still rings out with authority. Ben sings appealing lyrics and his singing on this track is supported by Jayanthi — with style. The band certainly has a signature sound. I compared them to two earlier successful bands but, with the addition of this country crossover Romantica has solidified themselves as originals. As a country band, I don’t have anyone to compare them to. This is truly original and the arrangements are spot on.

The coincidence here is that Prayer Boat is from Ireland, and The Blue Nile is from Scotland and though Romantica is an American band, Ben is originally from Ireland. I guess good music just follows those who are blessed.

“Buffalo Bill,” — you would think this song title would suggest Americana and country. Yet, Ben sings it with his more European voice though it’s framed in beautiful pedal steel, thumping drums and dynamic mood. This is a well-thought out tune, great story, and the ambience throughout the tune is consistent. Ben turns in a smooth performance – just enough whisper-singing, sustained notes and drama. The musicians shine on this as they do on all the tracks. They are well rehearsed but…they are tight in their performance and loose in their interpretation. That’s not easy.

Returning to his Prayer Boat-Blue Nile type voice, “We Were Young,” is another winner for Ben and his cohorts. The wall-of-sound production and backup vocals — stunning. The windy guitar and deep thudding drums control the atmosphere. Ben Kyle’s vocals are filled with reminiscence, wisdom and emotion. If nothing else, this album has displayed nothing short of a collaborative effort of thoroughly winning efforts by all. Ben gets his message across in his material. Is this for everyone? No. But, I am a convert. These people are indeed artists and I am a hard sell.

“Blue Heart,” has a steady beat on brushes, and tight guitar lines. The easiest melody for an amateur to follow and sing along to. This song should be pitched to country singers to cover. It has a good feeling to it, some nice openings for all the instruments to come in and out around the singer without intruding. These are gifted musicians – they interpret everything with ease and they leave behind some memorable performances. I continue to be surprised, as I did come to this one thinking it was going to be all lush and electronica. But no….

Coming down to the finish is “Nobody Knows,” — a nice dependable soulful, commercial-oriented tune. Despite its cliché of “keep it real…” in the vocal. I guess an artist as good as this is entitled to one cliché. Actually, it’s a good slow dance tune and the background singers provide some excellent soulful voices. Yeah…if the Temptations and the Supremes were to be ressurected for one song this would be one they should consider.

“St Paul City Lights,” is definitely a page from The Blue Nile – but, not as a copy, or imitation. It’s in that genre strong and delightful. Ben Kyle sings with hotshot vigor, nice rhythm and it’s a good-natured performance. While Ben is originally from Ireland, he and his band are from Minnesota now – so righteously so, singing about St. Paul would be natural.

A nice mellow middle-of-the-road track is “Get Back In Love.” This could have been covered by Frank Sinatra. It has all the requirements that is a Ole Blue Eyes tune: slow, saloon like, simple lyric that Frank could play with because he was an expert with a lyric. The tune reeks of sincerity throughout the melody and just goes with the gin and tonics, Pall Malls, and potato chips.

Ben stretches his vocal a bit and usually I am not a big fan of that kind of singing but…but…Ben Kyle does it effectively. I must admit I liked it. His reading is emotional, he’s in fine voice and ultimately, it’s a riveting performance. I also liked the Van Morrison reference…nice touch. This is another song that should be covered by someone…Cassandra Wilson? Madeline Peyroux? It’s an art to cover someone else’s song, or rather, I should say interpret someone else’s song. Elvis was one of the best…Sinatra…Nat King Cole. Where are today’s artists who can do a song written by someone else and make it work for them? Where?

Closing the album – that lasts almost one hour so you do get your money’s worth — is the upbeat “Shandy Bass,” — a shuffle. Nice track to say goodnight to. Hand claps drive it as it rolls along beautifully. No electronics. No loops. No auto-tune. Everything designed to have you say to yourself “is there anymore Romantica?” Let’s hope so. There are so many instruments I would like to hear them add.

The CD was produced by Romantica.

It’s CD design I received had a beautifully muted, pastel colored embossed art that is quite attractive. A nice T.S. Eliot poem is quoted on the inside spread and that shows sophistication. The artwork and design is by Jeff Holmberg of H-DCO and kudos to the printer for holding the embossing of the small copy open and clean. (I was in the graphics business at one time, I know).

Website: http://www.romanticamusic.com/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/romanticaband/

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this review / commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of No Depression. All photography is owned by the respective photographers and is their copyrighted image; credited where photographer’s name was known & being used here solely as reference and will be removed on request. YouTube images are standard YouTube license.

John Apice / No Depression / April 2017