The Dark Romantics

The last thing in the world I’d do is write a music review. (OK, maybe not the last thing.) However, I would link to a review if it is about a Lakeland band. Especially if it contains lines such as this:

“Hailing from that hotbed of indie rock that is Lakeland, The Dark Romantics have been floating around the state of Florida since 2006.”

Now, you knew in your heart that there was a hotbed somewhere in Lakeland. You just didn’t know someone had carved “indie rock” into the headboard.

If you haven’t heard the Dark Romantics, here’s a taste: Another Song for Another Night.

Back? Did you see Munn Park? What did you think of the music?

Did I mention the review is written by a guy named Paul POP! (including the all capital last name with the exclamation point)? I’m assuming the ! is a retroflex click constant and his last name is pronounced POP(click).

But I digress, POP!’s review included another line I loved:

“The Dark Romantics’ Heartbreaker is far from the feel good record of the summer and it should really come as no surprise that a band from Lakeland should write something so bleak.”

What is it that would make POP! think Lakeland brings out the bleak? Doesn’t he know we’ve been described as “a small mecca of cool” and “an endless archipelago of fast-food joints?”

Oh well, read POP!’s review in First Coast News.

The Dark Romantics are dropping an album September 9th. (I’m old enough to write “dropping an album” without irony.) Check out their artist page, Myspace page, official site, and Wikipedia page.

photo credit: msmail