TIME BOMB SYMPHONY
Rules Get Broken (Chequered Records)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

---

Time Bomb Symphony is a nom-de-pop for Darren Robbins, who writes the songs, sings the songs, plays the (red) guitar, runs the record company and rocks my world. He's joined by a supporting cast in which producer/ performer Adam Schmitt looms large, but he decided some time back that he wasn't cut out for truly collaborative efforts, so Time Bomb Symphony is essentially a long name for a one man band.

The road to Rules Get Broken has been a fifteen year trip down the busted band, fractured deal, stolen masters, broken marriage rock n' roll highway. I hope Robbins has found the trip worthwhile, because it's resulted in a power-pop gem.

There's a dash of juvenile humor and smattering of lovelorn angst amidst the sunny pop feeling of the music, but the predominant feeling I get from Rules Get Broken is that this is a pop album that was written by a grown-up for grown-ups to listen to. Let's face it, the kids already have their boy bands and teen divas. Those of us who've been on the power-pop ride from the get-go are rock n' roll geezers now, and while it's fun to relive days gone by for a song or two here and there, the only reason to listen to new stuff is the off chance that you'll find somebody out there doing it because they actually care about the music. Darren Robbins cares, and his concern for craft and quality jumps out of every track. If he's got to breaks some rule to get something that sounds this good, then I hope he's committed to long term delinquency.

Track List:

Suspended In Time * Oceans Apart * Falling From Space * Autobahn Driver * Steal Your Heart * F*** Up (I'm A) * Rules Get Broken * Can I Come Inside? * Tomorrow This'll Kill Me * Dear Emily

© 2001 - Shaun Dale