Title track ‘Rome’ sets out the gritty-man’s stall.  “The world’s OK…” is smoky as a hickory burner on a smoggy day. Then ‘Naked’ stumbles in awkwardly, just like the subject. This song is a half dressed girl just woken by the sun.  Downward stepping chords add moody emotion – and a half-buzzed harmony provides piquancy.

 

‘Low Key Affair’ is equally sad-baked -but with pangs of light provided by guitar. That inebriated voice is racked with real guilt. This song wrings you dry. ‘Only a Footstep Away’ is lightly jazzy and gently sweeps over you like a slight haze. The lyrics are interesting and memorable.

Then ‘Damn You’ crashes in. This is a rockier affair. A blues harp ruffles the edges and the beat bumps provocatively against your rear. A growling guitar adds a lick and a snarl, and goes well with the gravel dust voice.

‘Never’ is slighter benumbed. An astute lyric rings out across the painful gasping of the sounds. But the hobo comes out again for ‘Like Blood. A finger picked tune follows the gritty voice meekly, before an electric guitar gushes in with excitement and adds the acid. This is a high point.

‘Phoney World’ is  – perhaps appropriately – the least blueish track on the album. But ‘Faith’ restores the order, with an unsettling chord progression and lamenting vocals. This type of song is where the ruinous voice of Bell weaves a special magic. It is rough like sandpaper against thigh, and as acid as vinegar on the shelf. This is a stand-out song, with the kind of jaw-dropping guitar solo at the end that will make your hair stand on your head.

‘I See’ is the most ‘Rolling Stones’ sounding track on the disc. This will be one hellishly addictive barnstormer in any live show. Keen guitars slide menacingly across the flea-bitten rhythms and sexy vocals.

The album finishes with ‘Everything’ which reflects the sentiment that we started with in ‘Rome’.