Rooney is one of my favorite bands, but after listening to their most recent album, Eureka, to excess I put them on the shelf of a while. Recently two things have made me pop in the Rooney CD on the drive to class.
1) Album Art: their last album, Eureka, had some pretty impressive album art. Subtle imagery packed with symbolism. With the growth of digital music, I think the one big downside for the consumer is that we’ll lose good album art. Anytime a discussion of album art comes up, the Eureka album cover comes to mind.
2) Tweet: the big news is this tweet from Rooney front man Rob Schwatzman:
So it seems that Rooney Rob Schwartzman has been working on a new album too. This has been a banner year for new music with the Foo Fighters and Incubus releasing new albums, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jack’s Mannequin, Black Gold, and now Rooney Rob Schwartzman all planning to release albums (presumably) later this year. I’ll be sure to let you know my thoughts when the music is released. Please use the comments to share any news you may hear.
Update: Rob Schwartzman is actually referring to a new album for a solo project he has been working on. In my opinion it is a bit underwhelming, certainly not what we would have gotten with a new Rooney album. It’s more straight pop music than the pop/rock I’ve come to enjoy from Rooney. Link is here if you want to listen.
RyanKantor.com 
He was talking about his solo project, not Rooney.
Rob Schwartzman has a solo project in addition to Taylor Locke’s side project with the roughs. Details please!
This is terrible news…I’m so underwhelmed. Thanks for the update BSH http://pcm-music.com/2010/02/rooneys-robert-schwartzmans-solo-project/
He also isn’t calling it ‘SoloBob’ anymore, it’s just ‘Robert Schwartzman’. I haven’t heard anything about Rooney recording/releasing music or touring.
TL&TR are touring in the fall and Robert is apparently doing a show in the fall as well. No details have come out about him touring with his solo album as of yet.
I think Rooney is on hold for now while everyone is working on their solo projects.
Thanks, Britney. You’re quite the insider. How do you feel about their album art? I like Taylor Locke and the Roughs, do you?
haha yeah, I know more than I want to….
Their artwork is good, it’s all very Californian. I wish they wouldn’t be so obsessed about it though…the arkwork, the name of the album, the bear is all related to California.
TL&TR are really good actually, I was surprised. Ned Brower also has an album out that is very good too, if you haven’t heard it you should check it out. Really enjoyable music.
I was born in California so I have some appreciation for it, but if I wasn’t I might just be annoyed too. I’m checking out Ned Brower and Taylor Locke singing “The Weight.” It’s hard to find anything of high quality for their solo projects.
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It’s rare that I get such in depth commentary from someone I don’t know personally.
They both have albums out for sale, Ned has one and Taylor’s band have 2.
haha I know too much about these guys, I wish I didn’t it’s less fun. I don’t mind, I’ll tell you anything you would wanna know. 🙂
Neither’s band is on Spotify and they sure are hard to find on YouTube…at least with acceptable quality.
Britney, I found Taylor Locke and the Roughs on iTunes, and it’s really good. It’s very much like classic rock. I’m a fan. Expect a review of the new Red Hot Chili Peppers album in the next few days.
Yes, very classicly done with pretty well written lyrics.