Customer Reviews

When in Rome

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this CD because of the single "The Promise" when it first came out - late 80's. The other tracks exhibit a great variety style of musics - from danceable beats, funky guitar, piano fillings, synths, strings, sax, horn sections to excellent drumming; somewhat Spandau Ballet-ish, but very unique. The vocals are excellent; just listen to the harmonies. Each song is different, from the happy "Child'sPlay" to the ballads "The Promise", "If Only", and "Everything". It's too bad that this band only produced one album. I listen to the whole CD everytime - it's been 11 years and haven't got tired of it. For this reason, it's a 5 stars. Few CDs in my collection are this way (The Beatles' White Album, Led Zep 's4th album, and a few more ...). Hey, I appreciate and listen to all kind of music.

In the late 80s, When in Rome stormed onto the US music scene with "The Promise," and then vanished into obscurity as fast as they came. Chances are that if you're looking at this CD, you've heard "The Promise" and you want to know if the rest of the album is worth buying.

It might be - if you are an 80s alterno-euro-power-pop fan or a fan of power-piano-pop. Don't be looking for angst ridden, poignant tunes on the rest of this release that were typical of this era (like the classic "Don't You Forget About Me"). While their voices maintain that angst-ridden quality throughout that merges so well with the tune of "The Promise," the orchestration through most of the rest of the release is upbeat and happy, clashing with the angst. I will admit that I do like their voices, and I really enjoy what they do with the harmonies, which are often ignored in pop music.

However, the reason I enjoy and appreciate this release (and you should too if you are to enjoy it somewhat) is for its over-produced 80s power pop style. After "The Promise," "Heaven Knows" continues the driving euro-power-pop theme, however its tone is a bit more upbeat. While not so much on the over-produced side, "I Can't Stop," with its horns, driving beat, and female backing vocals makes you get up and dance happily around the room singing along. "Sight of Your Tears," despite its sad title, is orchestrally upbeat, powerful, driving and happy. "Wide, Wide Sea" is actually my favorite song on this release and what made me buy it after hearing a friend's tape. Something about the tune and lyrics really grabbed me; it's very upbeat, hopeful, and it makes me want to dance around.

Then there are the other songs, which deviate from the over-produced power-pop theme. For the most part, the remainder of the songs are much shallower and rely on simple orchestration that focuses on piano and drums. "Something Going On" is the most produced of this category, but after hearing the first two songs, this one is a real shock. Not to mention the tune is rather syrupy. "If Only" is a standard shallow piano and drum pop ballad, and it tries a bit too hard to be sentimental. "Child's Play" and "Total Devotion" are both driving power piano tunes. They can be fun, but again they are more shallow and raw and sound kind of like bar performances with a live band. "Everything" concludes the album on a slower note with this power-piano ballad tune.

So, amid this muddled mess, what is my recommendation? If you liked "The Promise" THAT much to be looking up the release, I would at least put it on your potential gift list. And if you're an 80s music freak to boot, you might want to put it toward the top of that list. I don't think you will be disappointed with the release, but at the same time I don't think it will become your favorite of all time. It is a fairly solid 80s classic that is worth pulling off the shelf every now and again for a listen. Since I find half of the songs fun and enjoyable, and the other half somewhat remotely enjoyable, I give this release a strong 3 star rating.

The Promise has been a song that most people know and love for a long time. It has always been one of my favorite songs, period. The album on the otherhand, is sadly awful. The lyrics are uninventive and childish. After the Promise one begins to wonder what other band stepped in and made the rest of the cd! It sounds nothing like the song we carry with us and love. It is quite clear why this was a one shot deal.

I have to say that "The Promise" is my absolute favorite 80's song! I love lots of 80's songs, but nothing compares to this one. Whenever I listen to it, it brings back good memories of my high school days. I can still remember the first time that my best friend and I heard it, and how we went crazy trying to find out who sang the song and what the title of the song was!

I am SO glad that I found this CD! The other songs are good, but "The Promise" is what really makes this CD worth buying. I've wanted this song forever, and it's a song that I never get tired of hearing, so it was worth it to spend a couple of bucks to get such an awesome song!

The megahit "The Promise" certainly COULD have been the first of several hits from this album, had the record company chosen the right follow-ups. The two should-have-been followup hits on this album, "Wide Wide Sea" and "Child's Play", both featuring really infectious choruses, would have been better programmed right after "The Promise", giving the album a stronger beginning. Other highlights include "Everything", which brings to mind The Hollies, and "Heaven Knows", with its Pet Shop Boys-like intro. There isn't anything too deep going on in the lyric department here (apart from the singer being bothered by his partner "dancing with another"), but, hey, this was the Eighties, remember? Repeated listenings reveals that this is really a quite wonderful pop album. OMD, Pet Shop Boys, The Human League, and early Tears For Fears are obvious influences, and if you like that kind of sound, this is a must. It would be nice to see an expanded edition of this CD, with the B-sides "Tonight", "Basilia", "1000 Questions", and "Whatever the Weather" (also on the original UK 12-track version with "Big City".)

"When in Rome" (Clive Farrington/vocals, Michael Floreale/keyboards, & Andrew Mann/vocals) is a wonderful group. I'm sorry that they didn't make more albums becasue this one is fully enjoyable!

There's always that one song that's annoying... "I Can't Stop". But we have the rest of their great songs to enjoy. "The Promise" (the song they're known for) is the reason that I even bought this album. "If Only" is very touching, "Everything" is very moving, "Something's Going On" is just plan fun! I love it!

Their songs are very upbeat and easy to connect with and I can listen to this album over and over again. The vocals are pleasant too... and that's important! If you like Erasure you'll like "When In Rome". They're not exactly the same as 'Erasure' but the style is similar. I defiantly recommend this album!!!

I picked up this album because I am a big fan of 1980s power pop and am always looking for '80s stuff I have yet to hear. I do not remember the single "The Promise" when it was released in 1988, but now that I've heard it I'll rank it up there with the best songs by Spandau Ballet, Vitamin Z, Ultravox and other bands with whom When in Rome shared a similar sound. If you do not have this single on an '80s compilation, it is worth seeking out a reasonably priced copy of this album for that song alone. "Heaven Knows" and "Wide, Wide Sea" have that same Spandau Ballet-esque sound and are very catchy and, as with the other bands mentioned, the soothing vocals are terrific. Sometimes these tunes will just pop in my head during the day and I think, "wow, those are very pleasant songs." Unfortunately, I cannot listen to this album in its entirety because a lot of it is not pleasant at all. While "If Only" and "Everything" are OK ballads; not spectacular but easy to listen to and "Sight of Your Tears" is a decent, upbeat pop tune, the rest of the album I have to skip. "Child's Play" is such an annoying number with silly use of backing vocals that I rush to push the "skip" button as soon as it comes on. "Something Going On," "I Can't Stop," and "Total Devotion" I find to be dreadful, noisy numbers with piano, horns with a Latin flavor, and female vocals that sound almost gospel. Way too much going on for my tastes. Not what I expected at all when I heard the first two tracks with their well-produced yet beautifully simplistic pop style. They do add variety to the album as other reviewers have noted, but, to me, these songs are too much of a distraction from the rest of the album which had the potential to be an `80s pop classic. Fans of "The Promise" and other 1980s power pop should seek out Vitamin Z's Rites of Passage if you haven't already. Amazing stuff!

What is wrong with you people? This is one of the best albums that I've ever bought. Eleven years later I still enjoy their sound. Didn't you guys even listen to "EVERYTHING". Every time I play that song for someone, they immediately want to know who sings it. The trouble is that if you people haven't heard a song on the radio a million times you can't really see it's true worth. Too bad. Sometimes the best songs on an album are not the ones that get air time.

the promise is my favorite song. good overall musi

The Promise is no doubt the best song on this CD. It is my favorite song. I know it is a least 10 years old, but everytime I hear it, it make me happy. I can't explain it. There is just something about that some. It give me strength. I know that may soung weird, but it is true. I have learn to enjoy the other songs on the CD too. Everytime I play that CD for friends and family, they always comment about it. Many of them also bought it. Anyways, I do recommend it. Just wish the band made more CDs. For you die-hards, there is a 6 minute remix to The Promise. GET IT. It's worth it. Thanks