Roma 79 - The Great Dying

The more I listen to The Great Dying by San Fran’s Roma 79, the more I wish I would have included it in my top 20 records for 2005. I know, it’s a couple years ago, but it’s one of those things that stick out every time I pop on this album. I am constantly reminded of how I completely excluded this album from the list. Why? I really don’t have any excuse other than maybe I heard it so late that year that I didn’t think I had listened to it enough. However, I don’t think that’s a very good reason and if it were ’05 all over again, there is no doubt in my mind that The Great Dying would have fallen somewhere in that list.

Roma 79 is yet another amazing band that happens to be on Ascetic Records. I don’t know how they do it, but the label is considered home to at least two of my favorite bands currently operating (Traindodge and Riddle of Steel). Roma 79 is doing their best to try and make it three bands. Ever since hearing The Great Dying in late 2005, it’s grown on me more and more. Originally I was sort of surprised by its sound, it didn’t really remind me a whole lot of what else I’d heard come out on Ascetic. The guitars were tinged with a sort of shimmering quality and there wasn’t that obvious thunderous rock power behind it. Maybe that’s why I didn’t include it on my year end list that year, I don’t know. All I know is that eventually after a few more listens it finally hit me. This album combined two of my favorite genres of music and sort of mashed them together to create one solid rock album. Roma 79 may be from San Francisco, but they have a very Midwestern rock influence in their music and then combine that with the glistening beauty of dream pop/rock and you have The Great Dying. Although it took me awhile to fully realize what I was hearing, it was obvious from the beginning that Roma 79 are a group of great song writers that fit absolutely perfect alongside the other bands on the Ascetic roster.

For anyone that didn’t give The Great Dying a chance in ’05, then by all means have a listen to the tracks below. Don’t expect over powering rock, however enjoy some solid and creative song writing with a bit of a dream pop/shoegaze touch.

Roma 79 – Gold [MP3]
Roma 79 – Angel Message [MP3]

For those interested, The Great Dying can be picked up over at Ascetic Records and while you’re at it I suggest checking out the rest of their roster of bands. Also, be on the lookout for a brand spanking new album from Roma 79 later this year. You can be sure whenever that comes out I’ll be posting about this band again. Enjoy!