New Roman Times
Camper Van Beethoven · 2004
67 min · 20 tracks · alternative rock
A quirky blend of alternative rock and jangle pop, infused with sharp social commentary and eclectic instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Sons of the New Golden West — This track serves as a thematic anchor for the album, combining catchy melodies with incisive lyrics about American identity and cultural disillusionment.
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New Roman Times — The title track encapsulates the overarching themes of societal critique and nostalgia, featuring a rich tapestry of sounds that showcase the band's artistic evolution.
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I Hate This Part of Texas — With its vivid storytelling and poignant observations about place and belonging, this track stands out for its emotional depth and relatability.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases inventive songwriting with eclectic instrumentation but lacks strong cohesion across its length.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a short instrumental track, setting a tone that blends eclectic sounds before transitioning into more structured songs.
- Several tracks feature abrupt shifts in tempo and style, such as the transition from 'Militia Song' to 'R 'n R Uzbekistan', which introduces a distinctly different rhythmic feel.
- The lyrics often employ sharp social commentary, with tracks like 'I Hate This Part of Texas' using humor and irony to address contemporary issues.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long, immersive listening sessions
- wave-like pacing and flow
- playful, eclectic soundscapes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2004, New Roman Times was Camper Van Beethoven's first studio album in over a decade, following their 1999 reunion. The band aimed to redefine their sound while addressing contemporary societal issues, showcasing a significant shift from their earlier work that mixed folk and punk influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Decemberists· Neutral Milk Hotel· R.E.M.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Prelude 0:55
- 2 Sons of the New Golden West 2:55
- 3 51-7 4:43
- 4 White Fluffy Clouds 5:00
- 5 That Gum You Like Is Back in Style 4:56
- 6 Might Makes Right 2:46
- 7 Militia Song 2:10
- 8 R 'n R Uzbekistan 1:13
- 9 Sons of the New Golden West (reprise) 0:21
- 10 New Roman Times 4:47
- 11 The Poppies of Balmorhea 3:23
- 12 The Long Plastic Hallway 5:09
- 13 I Am Talking to This Flower 2:30
- 14 Come Out 1:44
- 15 Los Tigres Traficantes 2:30
- 16 I Hate This Part of Texas 2:45
- 17 Hippy Chix 4:28
- 18 Civil Disobedience 6:14
- 19 Discotheque CVB 5:58
- 20 Hey Brother 2:44
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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