Melancholy and melodic evocations on the nature of love and loss. Sparse, emotional, subdued, and ghostly songs.

9 MP3 Songs
POP: Quirky, ROCK: Americana



Details:
It rained every day during the recording of Roman Evening's "Together Now." Writers Adam Klein and Michael Mullen called on local musicians Michael Belfer (Sleepers, Tuxedomoon, Black Lab) for guitar. Tim Mooney (Mark Kozelek, American Music Club, Toiling Midgets) played drums. Glen Swarts (Paula Frazer) played trumpet. Bruce Kaphan (American Music Club) played pedal steel. Bass and synthesizers were played by Dax Rossetti.

The record explores territory similar to Nick Cave's "No More Shall We Part" or Yo La Tengo's intimate glimpses into the nature and demands of relationship. It also shares the elliptical and spiritual themes of Mercury Rev and Sparklehorse. Intensely melodic, at times melancholy and often surprisingly upbeat, "Together Now" offers an honest, idiosyncratic but universal glimpse into the vagaries of the heart, and the many possibilities for the experience of love.

Vocalist Adam Klein and keyboardist Michael Mullen began writing songs in the summer of 1996. Sharing a broad palette of references and a penchant for good songwriting (Big Star, Harry Nillson, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Laura Nyro) the duo sought out a stark approach to their material that would highlight the songs' lyrical themes of dissolution and transcendence.

Prior to the organization of Roman Evening, Klein was an established author whose collection of short stories "The Medicine Burns" was published by High Risk/Serpents Tail Books in 1996. His novel "Tiny Ladies" will be published this Fall (2002). Roman Evening are currently at work on a soundtrack for the book (see Epitonic.com for previews). Klein and Mullen are also songwriters for the band Glasstown.