The Ruins of Berlin by Dex Romweber Due
Released off Bloodshot Records

Dexter Romweber was part of the Flat Duo Jets, a rockabilly punk band from the late ’80s through the ’90s, and is regarded as one hell of a guitarist and writer. Working through some personal demons after the breakup of the Flats, he remained low key and almost forgotten. He has received some press in the last few year when artists, such as when Neko Case and Jack White cited him as being a heavy influence in their music in the documentary “Two Headed Cow.” This latest release, The Ruins of Berlin, pairs Dex with his sister Sarah, and while most of the album is covers, it also features some original compositions as well as duets with Cat Power, Neko Case, and Exene Cervenka from X.

The opening song on Berlin, “Lookout,” features Rick Miller from Southern Culture on the Skids and is about one of the best opening songs I’ve ever heard. It’s seriously a great fucking instrumental: rockabilly, surf, and a dash of some good ol’ ’50s soul. This song sets the bar pretty high, and I’m pretty excited about this spunky rockabilly surf album. I’m thinking it doesn’t get much better this. However, the rest album doesn’t quite live up to this expectation. I think the opener is a bit deceptive; most of the album is ballads and duets, which are not bad, but that opener really left me wanting more. Thankfully, wonderful little swinging up-tempo songs such as Romweber’s “Cigarette Party,” “Ruins of Berlin,” and “Picture of You” are sprinkled throughout the album. Still, these few songs don’t really satisfy my hunger for more.

This was really an album that had to sit with me awhile. I really had to listen to the songs separately and then together as a whole. “Lovers Gold” and “People,Places and Things” really grew on me. The duets are probably the albums weakest point, except “Still Around” with Neko Case. Pretty much anything she touches turns to gold, so that was no surprise.  The duet with Cat Power, “Love Letters,” really fell flat for me, which might be because I’m bored with Chan Marshall in general, but also because Romweber’s voice seems  a bit pushy on the track.  Most disappointing was the short and boring duet with Exene Cervenka on “Lonesome Train.” They both sounded offkey and I wondered why even bother with a duet with someone  like Exene on a such a short and repetitive song. Other songs such as Romweber’s “Grey Skies” feature his raspy voice that fits perfect with his rock-and-roots discorded guitar as he sings, “Well gray skies tear my heart out in disharmony.” The finale, “Is it too Late,” which is written and dedicated to Roy House who is another Chapel Hill musician, is perfectly done by Romwber. His voice is strong yet soft and twangy and is a great finale to Ruins.

I’m hoping on the next release that the Dex Romweber Duo will forget the duets and concentrate on their own songs. If Romweber’s own compositions on Ruins indicate anything, it’s that it could be one hell of an album. It seems though Romweber had fun on this album, and it’s nothing to thumb your nose at. I’m glad I gave it a chance. It’s actually a great vacation from all the ’80s-tinged indie rock I’ve been hearing lately.

Checkout Bloodshot Records here

Checkout Dex Romweber Duo here