ROM - Foot Signal [Pingipung - 2012] ROM is the project of East Coast stretching duo Roberto Carlos Lange and Matt Crum. Foot Signal took three years to make and was recorded in multiple locations and cities. ROM supposedly mostly used broken instruments to make this album, but it doesn't sound like it. It doesn't sound like it took three years to create, either. Despite the terrible album title, Foot Signal is really enjoyable. The tracks are all upbeat (for the most part), light, and pretty catchy. They all work very well together, but this is probably due to the fact that they all kinda sound the same. Hey, it worked for AC/DC, right? This album is driven by drums. All the tracks feature fun patterns and most have some really nice cymbal work. The bass lines and synths add a nice depth. It's quick and simple, but it really helps fill out their sound. Almost all the songs are relatively short (only 3 of 11 are over 4 mins), and the album flies by. The highlights for me are "India High People Around" and "Fish Making Food." Terrible titles, but great jams. India is very catchy, very boppy, and really fun. The drums sound really nice, and the guitars have a nice, thoughtful, reflective tone. Fish really reminds me of PS I Love You era Kid606. It's not as well thought out, but the airy quality is similar. Foot Signal is a fun, quick fix. It'll get your head moving, but won't leave you bewildered by complexity. I enjoyed it, but am baffled by the time taken to create it. Then again, I'm a musical genius. Paul Casey
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