The Romantics
61/49 (2003)

Review by: Chris Orcutt
Date: 11/7/03

The Romantics? The "What I Like about You", "Talking in Your Sleep", bushy-haired Romantics from the 80s?

Yep. They're back, and with a great new record. I was (probably like most of us) only a passing fan back in the day, enjoying their tunes when they came on the radio but never thinking of buying a record. But I would say, go out and BUY THIS. They've updated their production and seemingly been listening to The Hives and maybe even Jon Spencer – this music has a lot of great rock & roll attitude. It's somehow even got a retro feel, like they've been playing lots of smoky bar gigs.

"Devil in Me" leads things off with a chugging rhythm and one of those incredibly simple riffs that sounds so great you can't believe it hasn't been done before. Things really start to swing with "When Will it End" and the next three songs keep things moving with great hooks, harmonicas, and Hammond organs all over the place. Most bands would kill to have a song like "I Need You" – a Kinks-ish tune – and these guys seem to throw it off with the ease of all the other songs on the record.

It doesn't matter if you were a Romantics fan before or not – go out and get this. It's not some retread or a dreaded "reunion" effort – it's 100% current and stands completely on it's own. It's a ton of fun, with great songs, great playing, and lots of rock & roll energy.