Ruins of Berlin

by Dexter Romweber Duo

Overview

Dexter Romweber has been making music since Flat Duo Jets called it a day in 1998, but not much of it has been making it onto record, and Ruins of Berlin, credited to the Dex Romweber Duo (with his sister Sara Romweber, formerly of Let's Active, on drums) is only his third album to appear in the ten-plus years since his old band rode off into the sunset. Anyone who wonders if Romweber has lost his touch during his layoff (or in the five years since his last album, 2004's Blues That Defy My Soul) will be happy to know that Ruins of Berlin confirms he's still a guitarist, songwriter, and singer to reckon with. However, this isn't the Flat Duo Jets, even if the simple instrumentation and frequent nods to the musical past are familiar stuff; while the FDJ's at their best were a ball of frantic energy, Ruins of Berlin is the sound of a more measured and contemplative Dexter Romweber. There's little in the way of amped-up rockabilly here (though the opener, "Lookout," finds Romweber trading some speedy licks with Rick Miller of Southern Culture on the Skids), and atmospheric midtempo numbers like "Lover's Gold," "Camilla's Gone (Let It Snow)," and "People" (no, not the Barbra Streisand oldie) are more consistent with the album's mood. But anyone who ever spent much time listening to the Flat Duo Jets knows Romweber's taste for classic jazz and pop tunes has always informed his music, and on Ruins of Berlin, he's just allowed them to take a larger place in the picture, alongside the faux-Eastern European folk of "Polish Work Song," the fractured guitar workout of "Grey Skies," and the jaunty travelogue of the title tune. Romweber also gets some well-deserved payback from longtime fans Neko Case, Chan Marshall, and Exene Cervenka, all of whom contribute lovely guest vocals to this set, and if you're afraid this might be a rock & roll-free set, "Picture" and "Cigarette Party" both generate enough heat to make fans happy. If this is a somewhat more sedate effort than the hot-wired Flat Duo Jets of yore, Ruins of Berlin shows Dexter Romweber's passion and gifts are as strong as ever, and the result is a compelling album from a one of a kind talent with plenty to offer. ~ Mark Deming

Product Details

Release Date:	02/10/2009
Label:	Bloodshot
UPC:	0744302015828

Tracks

1. Lookout
2. Lovers' Gold
3. Picture Of You
4. Love Letters
5. Cigarette Party
6. Camillia's Gone
7. Lonesome Train
8. People, Places And Things
9. Still Around
10. Ruins Of Berlin
11. Oh, Lover's Gone
12. Polish Work Song
13. Grey Skies
14. Is It Too Late?

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Dexter Romweber Duo   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guitar
Exene Cervenka   Primary Artist,Vocals (Background),Vocals
Rick Miller   Primary Artist,Guitar
Robbie Link   Cello,Bass
Bob Pence   Saxophone
Kelly Hogan   Vocals
Cat Power   Featured Artist
Sara Romweber   Percussion,Drums,Bongos
Neko Case   Featured Artist,Vocals
Bob "Crowmeat" Pence   Saxophone
Dexter Romweber   Marimba,Vocals,Guitar,Piano,Organ

Technical Credits

Peter A. Oakman   Composer
Morty Nevins   Composer
Victor Young   Composer
John Plymale   Mixing,Producer,Engineer
Frederick Hollander   Composer
John Beveridge   Composer
Billy Sherrill   Composer
Gene Roland   Composer
Edward Heyman   Composer
Bob Merrill   Composer
Dexter Romweber Duo   Composer
Brett Steele   Management
Brent Lambert   Mastering
Sara Romweber   Group Member
Dexter Romweber   Group Member,Paintings
Craig Schumacher   Engineer