New Roman Times - On the Sleeve - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Few new-millennium acts seem to have gotten the balance of familiar '80s-club emotional throb and original contemporary energy just right, but this Austin-by-way-of-Orlando quartet is one of 'em. Songs from the group's upcoming full-length On The Sleeve sacrifice neither groove nor heft to their quest for resonant quality songcraft. There's an earnestness to their tunes that defies the over-it, overly detached posturing of so much danceable rock, that pairs the cool with an engaging humanity. Also, of course, they kill it. '...the trade-off boy/girl vocals recall punk for grownups of Versus or the Pixies.' - Under the Radar 'Spindly post-rock guitar lines and traded boy/girl vocals bounce atop a bed of dance-friendly beats as the earnest search for true love continues.' - download 'New Roman Times is in the same orbit as bands like The Pixies and Sonic Youth.' - Image 'They understand that hooks are always just a terse guitar lick away.'