Search - ROMBIS :: Beirut

This six song EP entitled, Beirut, is at it's core a Rockin' social commentary riding atop a powerful groove. Rombis lead singer, looking like a more feral, less sedated Julian Casablancas of The Strokes, seems to regularly channel Jim Morrison in a rich, nihilist voice that can be somber or explode like Mr. Mojo Risin's.Beirut is filled with expressionistic lyrics, acid rock epic scope arrangements, flashes of instrumental mastery such as the high hat work in the song "How To Get Back From Here". The sweltering, creamy bass work drives these songs while they are seasoned by a mixture of jazzy rhythm guitar, nasty electric lead work and a patchwork of ethereal Harmonica solos, backbeat artistry, rap and perpetual celebration of the music. Wonderful mixtures of both vocal and instrumental textures make this collection live.While each song is a trip of sorts and an experimental immersion into the groove, the lyrics carry serious subject matter like the song "Blood of Bird", an anthem of confusion at the racism that fueled the 1998 dragging death of James Byrd,Jr. Though, while this band confronts such heavy subject matter, they are not without their sense of humor, as can be seen in the title song, "Beirut", a metaphor for the bizarre harshness of everyday life, which takes place in a neighborhood nicknamed as such. It can be seen through these songs that this band has something to say and is living in the world where these songs take place...you and I live there too. This makes Rombis an important up and coming band and this eclectic offering devoid of empty calories!