Rooney's second CD, Calling the World, contains a first single--"When Did Your Heart Go Missing?"--that starts out with a guitar riff so familiar, you swear that it must be a cover tune. By the chorus, however, the old-school, Wham-sounding melody (with frontman Robert Schwartzman emulating an early-day George Michael) reminds you that this is familiar just because it is simple, straight-up pop-n-roll. "I Should've Been After You" is a catchy little ditty that shows the extent of their love for '60s British invasion pop, albeit with a hefty dose of Robbie Williams-esque open-throated melodies on the side. Rooney's music--and even their cover art--tends to hearken '60s bands such as The Monkees and Herman's Hermits in terms of their sugar-sweetness, while "Paralyzed" and "All In Your Head" changes things up a bit with a nu-wave Cars sound. Like sugar, the disc might provide occasional moments of elation, but much of their music ("Calling the World", "Tell Me Soon", "Love Me or Leave Me") lacks the proverbial protein to sustain serious listeners for more than just a few pleasant minutes. --Denise SheppardPrice: $44.99
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