You Oughta Know : Rooney

If ever there was a true rock speed bump, it's the dreaded Second Album Syndrome, the "prove your value" spot where many bands stumble and fall. With CALLING THE WORLD, Rooney has created a "Ta Da!" moment, delivering on the sunny power-pop promises they made with their nifty 2003 debut. That disc earned the L.A. band accolades, adoration and opening slots on tours with Weezer, the Strokes and Fergie. The new one finds them wearing their ever-widening and always impeccable influences on their sleeves. Rooney (named after a character in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off") sounds like the love child of the Cars and the Beach Boys. With dreamy harmonies, hard edges, and a wry narrative style, the guys excel at inverting beloved pop formulas. Take that, Second Album Syndr... More»

If ever there was a true rock speed bump, it's the dreaded Second Album Syndrome, the "prove your value" spot where many bands stumble and fall. With CALLING THE WORLD, Rooney has created a "Ta Da!" moment, delivering on the sunny power-pop promises they made with their nifty 2003 debut. That disc earned the L.A. band accolades, adoration and opening slots on tours with Weezer, the Strokes and Fergie. The new one finds them wearing their ever-widening and always impeccable influences on their sleeves. Rooney (named after a character in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off") sounds like the love child of the Cars and the Beach Boys. With dreamy harmonies, hard edges, and a wry narrative style, the guys excel at inverting beloved pop formulas. Take that, Second Album Syndrome; with CALLING THE WORLD, Rooney proves that they're here to stay.«Less