Album Review: THE BURNING OF ROME – With Us

Surfdog Records (Release date – out now)

Every now and again when rock and metal all gets a bit much for a busy reviewer it’s nice to find something a bit more laid back and poppy to lighten the mood. This however comes with the proviso that said poppy album has to be a bit leftfield and quirky, we don’t do ordinary pop (unless of course you count ABBA, but that is acceptable, in my book anyway! ).

L.A based The Burning Of Rome fit the remit well, from the opening tubular bellfest that is ‘Ballad Of An Onion Sprout’ you know you are in for an interesting ride. The band describe themselves as Death Pop which is a fair description, this is music you can dance to but you can also immerse yourself in each track as all have lots to offer. ‘Cowboys and Cut Cigars’ has a rockier edge whilst lead track ‘Norman Bates’ has a glorious, uplifting chorus which is strange as it is about a psycho killer.

Most tracks though have a dark side to their lyrics and a twisted outlook on life as ably demonstrated on ‘Why Can’t I Stop Killing My Friends’ and ‘Audrey II’ based on the Little Shop Of Horrors and featuring a bit of the film soundtrack.

This album won’t be to all tastes and it needs to be approached with an open mind, especially the 16 minute untitled track which is ambient electronic noise and not much else, but there are some excellent quirky pop nuggets here which will put a smile on your face.

***1/2

David Wilson


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024

ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply