Customer Reviews

Calling the World

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!!

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.

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!!!

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.

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.

This is it "Calling the World" check it out...

you know ya want too...lol

Later.

Rooney reminds me why I listened to my Cheap Trick albums until the grooves wore out: infectious power pop, crunchy guitar chords, and catchy harmonies. The more I listen to "Calling the World," the more I start playing name that musical influence. Brian May-like signature harmonized guitar chords ignite the song "I Should Have Been After You." Later on in that same track the bridge makes me think that I'm listening to a Jellyfish album. Track 4, "Tell Me Soon," builds up to an orchestra ending like those great old ELO songs. "Don't Come Around Again" sounds like the Raspberries in their luscious sonic best. "What For" opens with spot on Georg Harrison riffs, and "All in Your Head" has a Cars flavor to it. Rooney is in no way a wannabe derivative. Instead, they smash all of their musical influences into twelve tracks of catchy rock that leaves me humming their songs long after I turn off my stereo. (Note to music fans over 40: Can't you see the Monkees influence on the liner photos? See the dunes pic and watch the opening theme song from the Monkees TV series.) I can't forget to mention their first single, "When Did Your Heart Go Missing." Who do they sound like? Rooney. Loud and proud. That choppy guitar riff and Robert Schwartzman's confident delivery reminds me why I never grew tired of hearing Cheap Trick's "Surrender." Perfect power pop nevers gets old. Do yourself a favor. Buy this CD. Do yourself a bigger favor. Go see them in concert. I saw them in a tiny venue in Jacksonville, FL. Although only about 100 people crowded the matchbox stage, Rooney rocked like they were headlining an arena show. By the way, I saw Cheap Trick play here in a tiny club, too. Great bands give their fans what they want, no matter the venue. All out, balls-to-the wall energy. Join the Rooney army!

After waiting FOUR years for their next album, Rooney does not dissappoint. The sound is great--truly unique compared to all of the other albums being released this year. It's a fun mix of songs that have great guitar rifts and catchy choruses.

You can't compare this effort to their previous, but I will note that this album seems more produced than the other. More polished.

Stand Out Songs: When Did Your Heart Go Missing, Are They Afraid, Paralyzed, What For, All in Your Head...

Many of the other customers have reviewed this album just as good as Rooney's self titled debut. I really disagree - I preferred many of their older songs because they were more raw and powerful. This album is heavily orchestrated and what I loved most about Rooney on their first album, the wicked guitar riffs and less polished vocals, is completely missing from "Calling the World." Also, many of the lyrics are somewhat cringeworthy and a bit immature. That isn't to say there aren't any good songs on here: Calling the World, When Did Your Heart Go Missing?, Paralyzed and Love Me or Leave Me are all fairly excellent songs and extremely catchy, but I feel overall this album is too much of a departure from the band's original sound, and what I liked most about them from the beginning. For first time listeners of Rooney, I would definitely reccomend their first album. For returning fans, I would have to say that this album might be better off overlooked.

I couldn't wait for this album to come out. It was finally released the day before my birthday (woo hoo, happy birthday to me!). This cd was absolutely worth the wait. There is not one bad song on here. I would check out Are You Afraid, Believe in Me, and Paralyzed. Here's hoping they continue in this direction on their next disc. I have gifted this cd to several people, and all of them have thanked me profusely after the fact.

Hadn't really heard anything from Rooney since their hit "I'm Shakin'" from about 4 years ago, but then they went on tour with the Jonas Brothers. In anticipation of the concert, I bought their latest cd. I was VERY impressed...from the title cut "Calling the World" to the very catchy and upbeat "When Did Your Heart Go Missing" to the almost-eerie "Are You Afraid?" I totally love this cd. And their live performance was even better. I say go for it. These guys are moving up fast. Take the ride with them!