Rome 56 - Mashville

Rome 56

Mashville
self-released; 2014

3.8 out of 5

By Megan Gazzo

If Jimmy Buffet and Ween were to have a baby and then have it raised by Tom Petty I think it would make this album Mashville by Rome 56. You get a touch of silliness with the main singer’s loopy voice. The guitar pinnings are tropical in nature and slightly country. Play along drums and contrived musical elements put forward focus to the vocals.  The first song "Sleight Of Hand" is country with the knee slapping sound mixed with some hand drum. A nasally vocal delivery and basic instrumentation give it a plastic almost humorous feel.

The next song  "Birthday Cake" really feels like Ween. Its goofy and addictive just like "Baby Bitch." It's frosty, fruity and fun.  It's one of those songs you hear at a bar that can't help but make the six people that are at the bar get up and dance with their partner. 

The sound fills a room with comfort due to its ironic almost kooky approach and the musicians obvious love for the music. There are some killer guitar solos but it's mostly a predictable song that's built for sing alongs. I haven't heard anything this Ween-esque ever. It's definitely exciting.

"Troubled Heart" is a song moves more into its country sounding territory. I would say that the majority of this album falls fully into country or rides the crest of it surfing a more Elvis Costello like element. The song "Whisper Away" feels like you are listening to Phish and explores the sparkly jam band side of this group. It's beautiful and expansive. This goes to show how the band can move into a vastness of sound, or keep it simple with their sing alongs. 

I like the means of which a listener can acquire so much imagery from this album. You can just feel the eccentric vibe through the microphone. I can see Hunter S Thompson sitting front row at one of these shows. Rome 56 is vintage yet new. It is yellow and weathered yet crisp and fresh. I love the old and new feeling almost as if it's been refurbished. Mashville is an album that shouldn't be passed up. It will surely ignite a child-like behavior in your soul and bring forth an unfamiliar feeling that seems to somehow be recurring. Embrace the nostalgia and listen to this piece. It will surely be a treat, especially if you love Ween like I do.

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