Calling the World

One record session is not enough for a perfect result

Los Angeles rock quintet Rooney was formed back in 2000 and after releasing few independent records eventually signed contract with one of the major labels in 2002. After few delays their debut self-titled album saw the light of the day on May of 2003. Unlike many rock bands that came to prominence in early ears of a new century Rooney didn’t fall under the influence of garage rock revival, which was gaining ground at that time, and preferred to pay their attention to the legacy of old rock music. The stylistics of their songs was a reminiscent of the bands from late 60’s and 70’s. However, critics observed a resemblance to pop-rock of 80’s quite often either. The album was produced on a worthwhile level and didn’t create an impression of a retro record, quite on the contrary, it agreed with the tendencies of rock scene pretty successfully. Besides, Rooney had a cameo appearance in the popular teen drama series The O.C. and as a result managed to scrape together an enviable teenager fan base. However, regardless a bright start off the band wasn’t that lucky with their second album. The very first version of a new record was ready as far back as 2005 but the band wasn’t quite happy with the material and therefore decided to make another attempt to record new songs with producer Howard Benson and posted some of already recorded tracks on their MySpace page. But the new album wasn’t meant to be again as it was the label who wasn’t happy with the material this time around.

The album may attract a wide range of listeners

The band entered a studio for the third time this year and luckily did everything right. Only three songs from the previous sessions were kept for their second album Calling The World, which debuted number 42 on the Billboard Top 100 Albums. So, it took Rooney four years to record their sophomore album – quite a risky move to say the least of it, such a prolonged gap could simply burry the band. But luckily the time wasn’t spent for nothing, Calling The World sounds sufficiently promising to rehabilitate the band’s status. Honestly speaking Rooney didn’t make any drastic changes and kept their stylistic, sound and even subject matter of their songs. Someone may think that they could wring out something more original for four years but it is worth admitting that this was a right decision. The more so because Rooney did their best indeed and polished their stylistics to the state of glassy luster. Thus Calling The World represents almost ideal combination of old school rock, classic pop-rock and light indie charm, which seems to be obligatory for any young band nowadays. The record was evidently intended for youth audience and caries very commercial flavor but as far as this album really has lots of great hooks, tunes and harmonies it may attract a wider range of listeners.

The material sounds complete and mature

Many songs from Call The World could be composed somewhere in 70’s or 80’s. At least the atmosphere of such tracks as Don’t Come Around or Tell Me Soon evokes steady associations precisely with this time period. Listen to I Should’ve Been After You – the guitarist sounds like Bryan May and keyboardist somehow reminds you The Doors and sometimes Uriah Heep. However the band still manages to stay in our time. Such tracks as When Did Your Heart Go Missing, What For or Paralyzed are probably the most exemplifying ones not only because these are the best songs of the album but also because they demonstrate a very competent balance between influences of the past and the present. As an album Calling The World sounds very coherent and smooth and as a matter of fact it gains an advantage over Rooney’s debut record. The material sounds more complete and mature. And although this record still has that peculiar youthful ardor the musicians perform fully serious and pretty original themes throughout the album. Calling The World may be interesting for a pretty wide audience. Rooney didn’t invent anything new of course, but the album as such is a lot of fun.