[.ca] Rooney

From Amazon.com:
The young Los Angeles band Rooney draws on some obvious influences--the Beach Boys, Weezer--to craft its own promising sound. This catchy debut makes a strong case for the group's smarts by updating its tales of teen life with knowing details (side-by-side references to cell phones and Shirley Temples, for instance, in "Sorry, Sorry"). "Daisy Duke" mirrors a night-before/morning-after scenario with its Rivers Cuomo-esque structure of vulnerable verse/mock-tough chorus, while "I'm Shakin'" almost matches the Dandy Warhols' obsession with the Cars as a next-big-source of retro sound. But singer-guitarist Robert Carmine protests readymade Britney and Justin types too much on the overdramatic change of pace "Popstars." After all, can there really "killers of rock & roll" as long as unassuming bands like Rooney are around? --Rickey Wright

derivative and bland:
I've come to the conclusion that if a rock band is touring with Michelle Branch and their song is on the O.C., they must be either a parody or just plain garbage. This band has nothing original about them and I'm sorry if their song was catchy enough to make you buy this-I got it used even though I had never heard a single one of their songs: I thought it was a different band. A band can have catchy songs and be original and good: look at the Beatles, sleater-kinney, the ramones, sonic youth, Dead Kennedys, I mean, the list goes on and on. If you like catchy, fun-loving rock songs, I mean you can't go wrong with this, but just know that they are in no way original or cool.

Rooney: Giving Mainstream Music a Kick in the Ass:
Rooney's first album is remarkable, it is fresh and new, nothing like mainstream music today. The music has a sort of 60s rock feel with killer riffs and infectious beats. Its not quite rock-yet not quite pop thats what makes it different from mainstream music: its one-of-a-kind. Rooney's music has a sort of musical sophistication which makes it special from other bands their age, and older. The music is carefully put together and the lyrics are simple yet powerful too, there is more lyrical depth in songs such as: That Girl Has Love, Simply Because, and Losing All Control. Rooney is bringing back something that was missing from music for years: simplicity. Rooney is simple, raw, and real music. These guys are keeping music pure and good. I truly thank the guys in Rooney for this CD and I recommend the CD to anyone who wants to hear great music.

Rooney Rocks!:
One of my favorite movies is "The Princess Diaries", and once I found out that Robert Carmine was in a band, I had to check it out. They have this really cool sound that I just fell in love with the first time I heard their song "I'm Shakin". The tunes are catchy, and the lyrics are cool. I highly recommend this CD for anyone who loves the underground/rock type music.

ONE OF THE BEST CDs IN MY COLLECTION:
Okay, Rooney is one of my favorite bands ever. I was introduced to their music in 2001 by a friend who became obsessed with them from watching The Princess Diaries (for you new fans, Robert Carmine, the lead singer, was in this movie). After that, we went to a Weezer concert and Rooney was on the Second Stage so we got to see them perform live for the first time, and got a CD that had 4 songs on it. Then, last year, the big day came: THE CD CAME OUT!! About a month later, they came to town and we got to meet Robert and Taylor, took some pictures and got autographs. I was so happy to find out that they are down-to-earth guys. The CD is so great, and doesn't disappoint. If you have heard some of their songs on MTV and liked those, you will like the entire CD. It is very California, and I listen to it whenever I'm getting ready for a night out. My favorite song is Daisy Duke, I think it is a very sexy song. Robert does a very good job, his vocals are very dramatic and enjoyable throughout the entire CD. Rooney is a great addition and I'm sure it will fit in to anyone's CD collection. A BIT OF TRIVIA: Robert Carmine is the brother of actor/musician Jason Schwartzman, who was in Phantom Planet up until the fall of last year. They are the sons of actress Talia Shire (Rocky). They are members of the Coppolla family (yes, as in Francis Ford Coppolla).

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC:
Talk about "Old School"!!! This band and CD are a throwback to the rock and roll bands in the middle 1960's. Not that these kind of bands haven't been always with us; but for a long time now they could only be found in late Saturday night dances in obscure bowling alleys and abandoned fire stations. Granted, Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers have been carrying the banner all by themselves to the worldwide audience; but that's just the point. You have to search long and hard to find Mr. Petty on the radio these days. You have to thinks of The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Lovin' Spoonful, The Turtles, Paul Revere And The Raiders, The Beach Boys and The Dave Clark Five is get some sense of Rooney's approach. The important concept is that Rooney is not afraid to have melody and hooks. There is a school of thought that believes any song that has enjoyable hooks cannot possibly be "art" and certainly can't be "rock". But such an attitude is the fatal disease that has overtaken the jazz world: if it appeals to a wide range of people and your parents can hum the tune then it can't be good music. My own personal favorites from this CD are "Blueside", "Stay Away", "If It Were Up To Me", "I Shakin'" and "Daisy Duke". The other songs have there moments as well. But it is refreshing these days to return to the universal themes of "boy loves girl".

• Blueside
• Stay Away
• If It Were up to Me
• I'm a Terrible Person
• Popstars
• I'm Shakin'
• Daisy Duke
• Sorry Sorry
• That Girl Has Love
• Simply Because
• Losing All Control