A few words about Rome (the album)

I haven't written about anything but live shows in months, so I'll break the chain with a gem from Danger Mouse and an all-star cast. The mainstream gave Rome a quick sniff, above-average reviews and tossed it onto the novelty pile.

I admit to sitting on the fence with Danger Mouse. He has a sound he ascribes to, whether producing Beck or partnering with James Mercer. But Rome is truly something different, a soundtrack without a film, and a tribute that actually pays tribute without resorting to note-for-note covers.

More importantly, Rome radiates Morricone's influence and remains the work of its collaborators. Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi brought in Jack White and Norah Jones for their Ennio Morricone tribute. Despite the big names, Rome doen't play like an all-star extravaganza. Those voices never threaten to rise above the music, effortlessly woven into this ornate tapestry.

All of it sounds like slightly tweaked Morricone cuts that could have made films if he had a few more minutes of screen time. The Matador Has Fallen could have been ripped out of a spaghetti western. I waited two months for the belated vinyl release, and won't regret a moment.

Rome succeeds by narrowing its guest list. Dark Night of the Soul, his partnership with the late Mark Linkous (Sparklehorse) bogs down with its laundry list of singers. Here, a shorter cast led to a tighter album. Rome fills a niche I didn't know was empty.