New Roman Times
International Affairs

THE REVIEW

A recent discussion among friends highlighted how introspective current indie music is, attributing the blame mainly to a depressed society unable to give new stimuli to the musical environment. But "International Affairs" is indeed an indie-rock album, and New Roman Times is a band capable of delving deep, likely a vital characteristic when swimming in a sea full of artists with overly flaunted sensitivity.

Originally from Denver, they quickly abandoned the idea of running a vintage clothing store to devote themselves body and soul to music, and their debut EP "Brighter Days Darker Nights" led them to share the stage with The Rapture, Death Cab for Cutie, and The Raveonettes. This album is a blend of sounds from the 80s new wave, but unlike today's bands that try to taint the suffering with a simple melody to be fed to remixes, here the songs are locked in dusty rooms full of sleepy spiders (does this image remind you of anything?).

There are 9 tracks that flow in just 37 minutes, intense and refined, alternating the sensual voice of Jodie Fluri and the anguished and muffled one of her husband Daniel Owens; "Reversion Therapy" and "Dis-viscount" wriggle free thanks to flashes of guitars that reproduce the neurotic sound of our cities while "The going away gift" with its pop gait closely resembles the slowed and dreamy Pixies. "A scene from the disco era" brings to mind the Interpol of "Turn on the Bright Lights", while the electronic "Leave the Atmosphere behind" and the concluding "Absolute beginners" have the ability to revive the dark-rock dear to the masters, The Cure (now the image molds in your head).

A depressed youth, but still capable of stimulating the mind and heart.