Rooney Out With New Album — Finally!
It took three attempts in three years for Rooney to come up with their sophomore album, "Calling The World," the follow-up to their 2003 self-titled debut.
"Yes it has taken forever, but we're super-excited," drummer Ned Brower told The ShowBuzz. "I think that in a weird way, all this time we took to turn it around was really good. I think we had it fairly easy in our first record and everything went smoothly. I think we were put to the test in the last couple of years making the album. It's been amazing."
Brower said that the band has maintained its fan base by continuing to tour in-between records.
"I feel like we have our underground core following, and they're helping get our video in rotation by voting on all these online things," he said. "There's also an opportunity to make a lot of new fans that maybe hadn't heard of us. I think that we're more seasoned now. So we feel like we're in a great position."
The video for the album's first single, the '80s-flavored song, "When Did Your Heart Go Missing," features a cameo from Academy Award-nominated actress Talia Shire. She's the real-life mom of the band's lead singer and songwriter, Robert Schwartzman.
"We shot that at my house," said Brower. "It was cool, because she was here and we were doing a scene together. Me and an Academy Award-nominated actress!"
Listen To Rooney's New Album, "Calling The World"
The group recorded two whole albums with two different producers and two sets of songs, but scrapped both of them before moving on to their third and final attempt.
The five-piece band felt neither of the first two attempts represented the band the way their debut album had.
Schwartzman and his bandmates decided to go back in the studio on their own with all new songs and a new producer, John Fields, who has worked with Soul Asylum, Switchfoot, Clay Aiken, and Pink.
The band presented one track, "Believe In Me," to record executives at their label.
"Everyone was shocked and pleased. Everyone responded great," said Schwartzman. Based on the song, which may be the album's second single, the label gave Rooney the green light to keep going.
It took three weeks to finish "Calling The World," which cost roughly one third of what it cost to produce each of the first two attempts at their sophomore set.
Just like the porridge in "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," the third album was "just right."
Schwartzman wrote all the songs for the new record, and he said his inspiration is consistent.
"I'm always writing about girls," he said with a laugh. In fact, each of the three attempts at a sophomore album was written about a different relationship.
For example, "Are You Afraid," is about a long-distance relationship Schwartzman had with a college student who all of a sudden stopped returning his phone calls.
"I was calling a lot. I was miserable. I felt that she was messing with me." he said. "I thought she was afraid of the lifestyle of a musician."
"I Should Have Been After You," is the story of a female friend who would have made a better girlfriend.
The title song, "Calling The World," is a song about obsession. "It's about a stalker tracking a woman down everywhere," said Schwartzman.
In "All In Your Head," Schwartzman reverses roles. Sung in a disjointed, rhythmic style, the track is about unrequited love from the viewpoint of the object of affection.
The one song on the album that's not about a romantic relationship is "Help Me Find My Way" in memory of Schwartzman's father, producer Jack Schwartzman.
Rooney is opening for Fergie through the end of July, then heading out on an August headlining tour. They'll be going to Europe for a series of dates in September.
To listen to samples of songs from "Calling The World" or watch the video for "When Did Your Love Go Missing?" log on to www.rooney-band.com.
By Judy Faber