I Told You So has a tremendously emotive style to it that set the stage for the rest of Letters From High Latitudes, with the intricate arrangements present here blending organic and industrial elements. Coming My Way begins with a strummed guitar; when the vocals kick in, listeners are treated to a very cozy and inviting track.
The spontaneity of Roman ensures that listeners will have no clue where Roman will take them, but that the music that issues forth will be something that they can appreciate. Rosetta Stone has Roman take up a troubadour style, immediately jumping into a clear vocal style that will have fans at the edges of their seats.
Kids R Like Vegetables is a shuffling, shambling track that is extremely hard to pin-point; there are hints of industrial (Nine Inch Nails), classic (Philip Glass), and even rap (The Roots, Bubba Sparxxx) that can be discerned. Better Day Blues keeps things fresh; while the track feels as if it is drawing on 1920s and 1930s blues, one can also pick up bits of the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies and Brian Setzer before the track concludes. Tinker keeps a blues style going, allowing listeners to hear thoughtful and complex arrangements.
Letters From High Latitudes is as strong at the last quarter (Better Day Blues, Tinker) as it was during the opening (Coming My Way, World Keeps On Turning). The sheer array of styles, influences, and styles broached during this album ensures that the disc will be in systems and mp3 players for months to come. Visit Ed’s website at edroman.net for biographical information, news, and a way to purchase his releases (Letters From High Latitudes is also available on iTunes and Amazon.
Top Tracks: I Told You So, Rosetta Stone, Kids R Like Vegetables
Rating: 8.1/10
Ed Roman Letters From High Latitudes CD Review / 2014 Self / http://edroman.net/