Description
Rare first press in mediabook with a 40-page booklet
The mind and the man behind Rome is Jerome Reuter, but over the years other members have found their way in, as in Nikos Mavridis, and more recently Patrick Damiani on violin. According to the band they play “Chanson Noir”, based around traditional French folk songs, drawn towards the darker side of our minds. Jerome is the core and the voice of Rome, “Nos Chants Perdus” (“Our Lost Songs”), a piece of brilliant acoustic neofolk. The steady stream of songs are carried along by strings, spanish guitar, some accordion, besides the torn, warm voice that is Jerome’s. Within “Nos Chants Perdus” the lettered listener can find traces of world literature from Albert Camus, Marcel Proust, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Jean Genet. While all titles are in French, almost all of the poetic lyrics are in English. The songs are delivered in a slow, dreamy manner, yet keeping the mind wide awake – full of instrumental details that should fill even a connoisseur’s ears with delight. Some moments definitely brings along a scent of France, but the themes are very much universal. The smell is that of smoky cafés, red wine and the heavy stench of humanity’s decadence pouring from those romantically lit alleys. Revolution lingers in the air and the summer night shadows have grown dark and foreboding. “Nos Chants Perdus” is a silent manifesto, if so chosen to be, or a gathering of beautiful melancholic songs, for those choosing the easy way out. Musically it should appeal to many ears, from listeners of classic Nick Cave to more obscure acts such as Spiritual Front. It is smooth, yet leaving a taste of blood on the tongue as the meaning of those lines grows clearer each time heard. Above this the album is genuine and touching, with melodies that haunts the back of the head when left in silence. This is songs for silent struggle, forgotten rebels and hearts longing for another world. As one of them, I can do little else than adore it.
Track list:
1. Debout Et En Mouvement
a) L Homme Revolte
b) Les Deracines
2. Les Champs Perdus
a) Le Chatiment Du Traitre
b) L’Assassin
3. Les Colonies Du Doute
a) Le Vertige Du Vide
b) Les Exigences De La Foi
c) La Commune
4. Les Trahisons
a) Sous La Dague
b) Les Iles Noires
c) Un Adieu A La Folie
5. Nos Pays Caches
a) La Rose Et La Hache
b) Chanson De Gestes