The world of music needs more Tom Romero's. In recent years, there's been a surge of female singer/songwriters cascading their diaries in toe-tapping forms to their listeners, but very few male counterparts-- at least, few that the world has embraced on a large scale. The men need to tell their stories too, and more importantly, we the listeners need to hear them. Enter Tom Romero. His debut album "Tar" has this wonderful air of vulnerability and unassuming wisdom. As you ride through this lyrical journey, you get the feeling Tom is being honest with you, telling tales of defenseless woe and melancholy madness. Songs like "Naked Standing" and "Blisters" have such a compelling sense of urgent honesty, and it's refreshing to hear a sweet male voice behind it all. In turn, Tom also has the nerve to be happy on this album, showing he has the courage to get risky and break those oh-so-appealing depression chains. The music itself compliments the lyrics perfectly- a nice mixture of blues, rock, and even a folksy feel here and there. Tom (who is also the album's producer) mixes masterfully the soft quiet moments with the butt wagging shakedowns, and the album makes the transition from eminiscent to optimistic without a snag. But through all this honesty and emotional purging, it sounds as if Tom is conscious of this vulnerability, and maybe a bit frightened by it. The lyrics and the sound of his crooning voice have walls around them at times, keeping in just a bit of the passion and just a bit of the honesty, as if to say "we still have secrets." Maybe he's just saving it all up for the next album. In any case, "Tar" is an absolute success. Tom Romero definitely has a story to tell; now it's just up to us to stop and listen.
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Tom Romero's solo release on TAR Records is an album not to miss. Romero's acoustic guitar work on this CD is brilliant. It opens with the great "Nearest Window.' The second song "Julio" is an addictive song that you just can't get out of your head. And this is only the beginning. "Jumping up to Heaven" is a beautifully arranged ballad and probably my favorite track by Romero. "The Denny Song" (which is featured in the Jennifer Love Hewitt/Dash Mihok movie - Telling You) sounds like a perfect hit single. I wouldn't be surprised to hear this on my radio soon. "Underrated" is another personal favorite of mine as well. Basically Tom Romero's CD is a near flawless effort full of wonderful songs that are sure to please any music lover. If you appreciate great acoustic songs with honest lyrics, be sure to pick this one up. As for me, I'll keep this one on repeat.
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Tom Romero's solo release on TAR Records is an album not to miss. Romero's acoustic guitar work on this CD is brilliant. It opens with the great "Nearest Window.' The second song "Julio" is an addictive song that you just can't get out of your head. And this is only the beginning. "Jumping up to Heaven" is a beautifully arranged ballad and probably my favorite track by Romero. "The Denny Song" (which is featured in the Jennifer Love Hewitt/Dash Mihok movie - Telling You) sounds like a perfect hit single. I wouldn't be surprised to hear this on my radio soon. "Underrated" is another personal favorite of mine as well. Basically Tom Romero's CD is a near flawless effort full of wonderful songs that are sure to please any music lover. If you appreciate great acoustic songs with honest lyrics, be sure to pick this one up. As for me, I'll keep this one on repeat.
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