Album Review: Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi - Rome

Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi - Rome

Having been handed this CD to listen to, I had absolutely no idea what to expect. Deep in my brain I think I idly expected it so be some sort of laid back dance record, although the result couldn't be further from that assumption.

Rome has been five years in the making and is named after the city where the album was recorded. Sounding spectacularly like the soundtrack to a movie that doesn't exist, Rome is evidently inspired by the work of the likes of Ennio Morricone - and I say that as no bad thing.

Part instrumental and part vocal - Jack White and Norah Jones are perfect choices, by the way - Rome is a curious beast. For example, whilst Black - featuring the strangely raspy vocals of Jones - is a great pop record, some of the instrumental tracks sound like incidental music for a wild west film.

Being a huge fan of John Barry (and film composers in general) the 60s-esque sounds on Morning Fog recall some of Barry's early work while the stunning track Roman Blue is a real highlight.

Perhaps more retro than one of the current in-demand producers of choice would like, Rome is still a great album. Quite what the point of the endeavour is (and whether it works) is open to question, although that doesn't diminish the fact that it's a melodic, engaging and well crafted record.