Rooney Calling the World Genres:Alternative Rock, Pop Rooney is: Ned Brower - Drums, backing vocals Taylor Locke - Guitars, backing vocals Robert Schwartzman - Vocals, Guitar Louie Stevens - Keyboards Matthew Winter -- Bass Their second album "Calling The World" - a pop-rock... more » manifesto and contribution to the rock-pop body of work initiated by The Beatles and The Beach Boys and propagated by subsequent groups such as Queen, E.L.O., Cheap Trick, The Cars, Jellyfish and Weezer. Lead singer Robert Schwartzman wrote all of the songs on "Calling the World" after searching for a sound that would at once rock and "also make people dance." The first single from "Calling the World" is "When Did Your Heart Go Missing?" - an effervescent head-bobber with an infectious chorus. The colorful video was shot in various locations in Los Angeles by noted director Benny Boom (50 Cent, Missy Elliot) and depicts a day in the California life of Rooney, complete with afternoon wake-up, beach bar-b-q house party, classic car Hollywood cruise and late-night Silver Lake club romp. Other songs from the album include the mini-rock opera "I Should Have Been After You," "Believe In Me," a driving synth-propelled call for a leap of faith, "What For" a breezy and melodic slice of friendly advice, and "Help Me Find My Way," a poignant ode to Robert's late father. Producer John Fields (Andrew W.K., Switchfoot) recorded "Calling The World" with Rooney in Los Angeles by harnessing the band's expert musicianship via live takes and extemporaneous improvisations, at times even using a laptop to capture the urgency of the moment. "Rooney" sold 400,000 albums of their debut and toured extensively across the United States and Europe. The members of Rooney recently hosted a Monday-night residency at Los Angeles' renown Roxy nightclub during the entire month of April 2007 so they could play their new "Calling the World" material for their loyal, hometown fans first. They were joined on stage by friends to perform covers including Phantom Planet, The Donnas, The Chapin Sisters, Ben Lee, Susana Hoffs (who performed Walk Like An Egyptian with the band), and Cherrytree Records label mates The Feeling. Rooney released their eponymous, debut album in 2002 when the median age of the band was 19 years old. Rooney is a favorite of other bands who are constantly asking to hit the road with them. They've toured with Weezer, The Strokes, All American Rejects, Travis, Pete Yorn. In May 2007, Rooney embark on a club tour of the UK and Continental Europe and return to the US for a national tour as opening act for Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas.« less
Rooney is: Ned Brower - Drums, backing vocals Taylor Locke - Guitars, backing vocals Robert Schwartzman - Vocals, Guitar Louie Stevens - Keyboards Matthew Winter -- Bass Their second album "Calling The World" - a pop-rock manifesto and contribution to the rock-pop body of work initiated by The Beatles and The Beach Boys and propagated by subsequent groups such as Queen, E.L.O., Cheap Trick, The Cars, Jellyfish and Weezer. Lead singer Robert Schwartzman wrote all of the songs on "Calling the World" after searching for a sound that would at once rock and "also make people dance." The first single from "Calling the World" is "When Did Your Heart Go Missing?" - an effervescent head-bobber with an infectious chorus. The colorful video was shot in various locations in Los Angeles by noted director Benny Boom (50 Cent, Missy Elliot) and depicts a day in the California life of Rooney, complete with afternoon wake-up, beach bar-b-q house party, classic car Hollywood cruise and late-night Silver Lake club romp. Other songs from the album include the mini-rock opera "I Should Have Been After You," "Believe In Me," a driving synth-propelled call for a leap of faith, "What For" a breezy and melodic slice of friendly advice, and "Help Me Find My Way," a poignant ode to Robert's late father. Producer John Fields (Andrew W.K., Switchfoot) recorded "Calling The World" with Rooney in Los Angeles by harnessing the band's expert musicianship via live takes and extemporaneous improvisations, at times even using a laptop to capture the urgency of the moment. "Rooney" sold 400,000 albums of their debut and toured extensively across the United States and Europe. The members of Rooney recently hosted a Monday-night residency at Los Angeles' renown Roxy nightclub during the entire month of April 2007 so they could play their new "Calling the World" material for their loyal, hometown fans first. They were joined on stage by friends to perform covers including Phantom Planet, The Donnas, The Chapin Sisters, Ben Lee, Susana Hoffs (who performed Walk Like An Egyptian with the band), and Cherrytree Records label mates The Feeling. Rooney released their eponymous, debut album in 2002 when the median age of the band was 19 years old. Rooney is a favorite of other bands who are constantly asking to hit the road with them. They've toured with Weezer, The Strokes, All American Rejects, Travis, Pete Yorn. In May 2007, Rooney embark on a club tour of the UK and Continental Europe and return to the US for a national tour as opening act for Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas.
CD Reviews
Woah, sooooo worth the wait!!! A powerpop masterpiece!!
Larry Davis | NYC/Long Island, NY | 07/17/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Seriously, it really is. I don't mince words or throw away terms like that without sincerely meaning it. When I heard that Rooney (the LA quintet named after the hilariously inept principal in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"), scrapped 2 albums and took 4 years to follow up their great 2003 debut, I was slightly worried...who wouldn't be??? But, upon hearing their new 2007 release "Calling The World", all my worries were tossed aside...it's REALLY great...all 12 tunes are gems...with great melodies, harmonies, arrangements, guitar riffs, the works...even a mini-rock-opera!!! Tunefulness is tops here, and whether this record appeals to the O.C. fans they acquired with the debut, it's secondary to the melodic waterworks in evidence here.
Wow, this is really a great record...definitely a contender for best powerpop album of 2007...if not best album overall, definitely top 10.
No shortage of highlights here...from the danceable first single "Where Did Your Heart Go Missing", to the catchy, pining "Should Have Been After You", where singer/guitarist/brother of actor Jason Schwartzman, Robert Schwartzman regrets going after a gal pal who keeps setting him up with her girlfriends who are not as worthy...to the AMAZING "Paralyzed"...I recall loving this song when they did a free concert in NYC back in 2005...and the string-laden, epic ballad "Help Me Find My Way", the catchy opening title track, the mini-opera "Are You Afraid??" All songs here are great, and that could be the problem...finding a focus track as a single...but that doesn't matter, as it's such a great record overall.
As for the scrapped 2 albums...perhaps those songs will find their way through the underground and onto bootlegs...most scrapped albums and songs by great powerpop bands such as Rooney are just as good and an interesting listen...I'd love to hear those tunes.
Again, the wait was really worth it. And, cool, I'm the first reviewer here, aces!!"
Rooney - Calling the World
T. Snyder | AZ | 08/14/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'm not sure why Rooney gets slept on so much. They're very under-the-radar. Fans of the Maroon 5 album should be all over "Calling the World".
This album is what I consider a perfect summer album. Lighter breezier pop/rock songs. Lots of catchy choruses without being cheesey. The songs are short and to-the-point; this isn't an overly drawn-out, bloated affair.
I like that the songs are bouncy with good beats/tempos - no real downers here. And you can't beat the price: I assume the low price is intended to draw in new fans, not scare people away that it's cheap for a reason.
Really, I'm surprised as to why these guys don't get more publicity. If you could choose a soundtrack for a perfect California summer, this would be the album."
Amazing Growth!!!
Jen | 07/26/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"They're sound has matured since they're last album. The writing is better, the singing is stonger and the music is rockin'!! I love EVERY song on this album!! There are no fillers here! I have it in my Mp3 player and it won't be leaving any time soon! Look out world Rooney has arrived!!!"
GREAT ALBUM!
El Lobo | 11/13/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Rooney's "Calling the World" is one of the best albums I have heard in the last ten years. Every song is a winner. It's refreshing to hear a group that can actually do real music and put out an album that's fun to listen to all the way through. I had never heard of Rooney until I saw them on Kimmel. Unlike most of the groups on that show that I turn off half-way through, I knew I had to get the album. I haven't heard their first so can't compare. Will do that next.
"
Wow...just wow!!
Derrick Jenkins | Hampton VA USA | 10/02/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just got finished listening to this again and its impressive. I'm glad that they took the time needed to come back out and release an excellent album like "Calling the World".
From track to track the seemingly flow right into the next song with nothing but great music being played, sung and lyrics written which makes for a cd worth purchasing. Plus being able to add things that have happened in your life on record. It helps not really deal with it..but just lets other people know that hey we have issues too. Passing of a parent is something you never get over you just try and make it through each day. That's what the last track to me feels like "Help Me Find My Way. Its last for a reason and that's to leave you with those thoughts on your mind.
(Sorry for running off track there)
But Rooney's sophomore effort suffers no signs of the dreaded 2nd album curse that seems to plague some bands out there. Not them they just go out and do what makes them and their fans happy and that is to make quality, fun yet engaging music.
