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Not since Bon Iver’s "For Emma, Forever Ago" has there been such an accomplished album of torch songs.
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Alternative PressThere's an overt embracement of vintage songcraft, and a few tracks would have certainly found welcoming ears in other eras. Be glad they're here now. [Jun 2009, p.102]
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As for the claim that Romanian Names represents the pinnacle of Vanderslice's recorded output to date, the argument certainly holds water. The dozen songs are all inviting, catchy even, in their own way, and aurally consistent with the history of "sloppy hi-fi" production at Vanderslice's Tiny Telephone studio.
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For those who never quite got John Vanderslice, he’s finally made a love-on-first-listen recording. Yes, you have to pay attention to the lyrics, but the reward is clever, well-developed storytelling.
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Vanderslice hasn't made a bad record, but he's only made a couple that are this good. If you've never dipped an ear into his world before, Romanian Names is a great place to do it.
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What Romanian Names lacks in difficulty and depth, it makes up for in restrained creativity and faint tenacity. Though his aim fell short, it goes without saying that even at his moderate average; he’s miles ahead of most of the solo artists attempting to make music.
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If the new direction disappoints some old fans, though, it’s hard to escape the fact that Vanderslice is an original songwriter with a vision for his material, even if that vision isn’t clear.
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This is not Vanderslice’s most sonically adventurous record overall, but it does not need to be. His most powerful songs seem often, at first, the most unassuming.
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Something of a letdown by his own lofty standards, but still awfully good by anyone else's, John Vanderslice's Romanian Names is perhaps the singer-songwriter's most obtuse album.
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By all accounts, a solid album; it’s just that we have come to expect better from someone with such a flawless back catalog.
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Romanian Names holds the unfortunate and surprising distinction of being the very first John Vanderslice album to feel like just another John Vanderslice album.
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This is a “nice” album, not a great one. It pleases with clean, intelligent production, thoughtful arrangements, clever, elliptical words.
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It’s certainly an enjoyable collection of pop songs, but, unfortunately, it’s mostly innocuous and not as remarkable as past efforts.
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Under The RadarAlthough Romanian Names drops the terrorism fixation, it does attempt to make the most of the other moves that its predecessors did, but to diminishing returns. [Spring 2009, p.68]
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Q MagazineA unique, if impenetrable artists, Vanderslice deserves a wider audience. [Jun 2009, p.132]
User score distribution:
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Positive: 9 out of 10
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Mixed: 0 out of 10
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Negative: 1 out of 10
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RichardF.May 22, 2009His tightest, most accessible album to date. Ranks at the top of his list, not nearly as average as the reviews let on.
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LaunceRMay 22, 2009
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JRockMay 21, 2009JV is the stuff. The Horrors get an 82 and Vanderpuff gets a 71? Hype vs substance. Ding Ding, substance wins!