A Film for Your Ears

The concept album is nothing new; it’s been around since at least 1966 with The Mothers of Invention’s “Freak Out!” Now, Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi have attempted something new amongst concept albums: a film soundtrack for a film that does not exist.

“Rome: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” initially sounds like something Ennio Morricone might have written if he had developed an interest in funk. Although the majority of the album is devoted to instrumentals, Jack White and Norah Jones are credited as its stars.

It’s a strange, but ultimately appropriate pairing. White’s voice is aggressive and always on the brink of cracking, while Jones’ voice is smoky and dark.

Remarkably, the many instrumental tracks are not just fillers between the songs with vocals, but instead are fully fleshed out. Choruses intone wordless melodies in place of the whistling parts of a Morricone score.

Unfortunately, though, “Rome” avoids being just a novelty. It has nothing that will last the test of time. The strange concept behind the album will most likely prevent it from sticking in anyone’s memory.

For the time being, however, it’s still worth stepping into this imaginary Western.