61/49 – The Romantics

Eighteen years separated the release of the Romantics' Rhythm Romance -- the misfire follow-up to their multi-platinum breakthrough, In Heat -- and their 2003 "comeback" set, 61/49, and during that time the band lost their major-label deal, parted ways with drummer and vocalist Jimmy Marinos, went broke, discovered their managers had walked off with most of their money, struggled through a protracted legal battle to win back the rights to their publishing, and played a long string of low-rent gigs to keep body and soul together. But the worst part for the Romantics was that they managed to throw any cool or credibility they had out the window along the way; they were never the hippest band in the world, but by the time Rhythm Romance arrived with a thud, they'd gone from a fun and enthusiastic power pop band with a serious British Invasion jones to a pompous and faceless arena rock outfit, and their long absence from the recording studio only reinforced their perceived status as has-beens. So it's a pleasant surprise to report that 61/49 is a solid and enjoyable return to form, not quite up to the standards of their inspired 1980 debut, but certainly the best and most energetic work they've managed since. The presence of well-chosen Kinks and Pretty Things covers certainly points to the right direction, and while "Out of My Mind (Into My Head)," "Devil in Me," and "New Kinda Pain" aren't instant classics like "What I Like About You" or "When I Look in Your Eyes," they are great examples of what the Romantics do best -- solid and swaggering '60s-style pop with an extra portion of guitar firepower. While Blondie skinsman Clem Burke is now credited as the band's official drummer, Jimmy Marinos returns for this album, keeping time on half of 61/49's ten cuts and fitting this album's sound like a glove, while Burke and powerhouse Detroit Wheels percussionist Johnny "B" Badanjek each drive two tunes. "Paint the Sky" and "Still We Remain" are less-than-well advised attempts to go sensitive, and the title cut finds the Romantics trying to cop some moves from fellow red-suited Detroiters the White Stripes (and, in all fairness, doing a better job than you'd expect), but most of 61/49 is simple, hooky, and hard-swinging pop/rock that'll sound good at a party on a Saturday night -- which is to say it's the kind of album they've been needing to make for a long, long time. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide