Phoenix - Rome

The biggest thing I always liked about Phoenix, or what first really grabbed me about them, was obviously their huge, stadium-sized pop hooks and tremendously monstrous songs. They're like a Muse but a really amazing Muse and that's coming from someone who actually likes Muse. But as time passed by and I was able to delve into their music deeper, their amazing approach to instrumental music really stunned me. I still remember getting a vinyl copy of Wolfgang and getting lost in various different parts because it's all so nice.

So when it came to "Rome," this was yet another example where the music blew me away long before the songwriting did. The guitar is a shining and subtle touch and the way the drums and guitars balance the sound is genius. The imagery on the song is awesome itself because of the way they play on the burning cigarette to symbolize the dying relationship, "ashes til it falls, falls falls." And the way they explain how he goes crazy from being able to see her silhouette in the candlelight. I love how everything comes together until he says "always and forever now" and the music dies down. It's like a kiss-off to an ex lover but knowing that time has long passed, much like the times from old Rome have passed. - Bryan