This came out in 2003 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Mickey? Andy? Your guess is as good as mine when it comes to the inspiration for this L.A. pop-rock outfit’s handle.
But Rooney do have at least one celebrity connection I can tell you about — singer-guitarist Robert Carmine is the little brother of actor and Phantom Planet drummer Jason Schwartzman. Not surprisingly, you’ll also find some common ground in their musical family trees. Like the Planets — not to mention other contemporaries like Wheatus, Fountains of Wayne and Weezer — Rooney revel in the sun-drenched guitar-pop sounds of ’60s and ’70s icons like The Beach Boys, Big Star, Cheap Trick, The Cars and ELO. But the 11 pop-chart rockers and sock-hop waltzes on this debut album offer more than just the usual collection of sugar-buzz guitars, bouncy beats, gorgeous melodies and waist-deep harmonies. Songs like Daisy Duke and Sorry Sorry (“For making your life a living hell”) evince a wry lyrical darkness that contrasts and complements all that sunshine and happiness. If they can augment those unique lyrics with an equally distinctive musical approach in future, Rooney should have no trouble making a name for themselves.
