This is another music review I wrote for The Independent Journal. I think it appeared in the same issue in which I trashed a Liz Phair record. 

As the garage rock pile-on continues unabated, it’s good to be reminded that buffing muscular guitar riffs into something glossy and bright isn’t such a bad idea every now and again. The latest evidence is the self-titled debut from Rooney, fronted by Robert Carmine, younger brother of Phantom Planet drummer (and Max Fischer portrayer) Jason Schwartzman. This is the sort of album that starts with a lone guitar, ends with a lush, achy power ballad, and in between includes a chorus built almost entirely around a stammered pronunciation of the word “shakin’.” The loping sing-along of “If It Were Up to Me” and the ’80s-tinged pop exuberance of “Sorry Sorry” (“…for making your life a living hell”) are key components of a sharp effort that will go a long ways towards sating those who still pine for the days of Material Issue and Matthew Sweet’s Girlfriend.