Red Sox prospect Roman Anthony branches out.
Imminent Reign
Just as Rome transitioned from a Republic to and Empire, the Red Sox are also in transition. No longer a franchise defined by a curse – Instead, they find themselves in the lead in the race for Team of the Century. But others are closing fast, and they need someone new to lead them through these turbulent, but also opportunistic waters.
What comes next isn’t just a new album, but a new era. Anthony will be at the core of it all, and his voice will reshape the entire landscape. Roman’s reign is imminent, and it will transform the entire nation. You don’t want to miss this one!
— Matthew Gross
SesSKApedalian, a collection of baseball related (or adjacent) ska covers! This soundtrack of the national pastime features Red Sox specific tracks (of course) and a selection of Anthony’s favorite music from around MLB. It’s the auditory equivalent of watching a ground ball rolling on the dirt and seeing the first baseman pick it up, pick it up!
- Take Me Out to the Ball Game
- Shippin’ Up to Boston – Dropkick Murphys
- Centerfield – John Fogerty
- We’re Talkin’ Softball – The Simpsons
- Tessie – Dropkick Murphys
- Walkie-Talkie Man – Steriogram
- Right Field – Peter Paul and Mary
- Ichiro’s Theme – Ben Gibbard
- We’re Gonna Win Twins
- Hungry Like the Wolf feat. Jarren Duran and Duran Duran
- Baseball – Ozma
- Gyro Ball – Daisuke Matsuzaka
- Glory Days – Bruce Springsteen
- OMG – Jose Iglesias
- Boys of Summer – Don Henley
- Go Cubs Go
- Say Hey (The Willie Mays Song) – The Treniers
- Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
— Mike Carlucci
Palatine Hill
Mr. Anthony is taking on a solo career of his own after being a part of The Big Three, but in this reality, he takes on the stage name ROMULUS. Inspired by the tale of Romulus and Remus and the foundation of Rome, ROMULUS stands atop the hill he claims divine approval from to begin his new musical empire. He is his own artist. He is his own genre. He. Is. ROMULUS.
— Jake Reiser
After deciding to step away from the immensely popular boy band Big Three—which sold out stadiums from Greenville to Worcester—pop sensation Roman Anthony (who now prefers to be known by his mononymous stage name “ROME” moving forward) has released his first solo album that’s full of guts and isn’t afraid to go there.
Foul Balls, ROME’s first project under the FSG label, tackles topics so heavy and personal that you’ll want to give the record a Super 2 spin just to make sure you’re able to soak it all in.
Love won and lost, betrayal, self-acceptance, and being patient enough to sit back and slap that shit the other way: it’s all laid out before the audience in this 49-minute, 15-track opus. Forget the 5.8 rating from Pitchfork—you’ll be asking for a curtain call when it’s all said and done.
“Compensation Pick,” the album’s lead single, is a radio friendly hit that acts as a breath of fresh air from out of left field. Masterfully walking a tight rope by blending new wave with nu metal thanks to production from The Chaimsmokers, the track is boosted by its irresistible melody and 80-grade lyrics.
Album cut “Prospect Hugger” reveals a deeper, vulnerable side to ROME—inviting the listener into his personal heartbreak. The stripped down piano ballad allows the young man to carry the song just off of his pure singing abilities.
The longest track on the album, “Choke Up,” offers a unique creative choice: ROME goes on to provide an eight-minute, detailed hitting tutorial. Baseball training was not mentioned before this song, nor was it mentioned after this song; it exists in its own context. While the subject matter is an interesting choice, the creative 5/4 time signature mixed with the best utilization of baroque pop since Coldplay’s 2008 masterpiece “Viva La Vida” may result in the song growing on you with each passing listen.
The album culminates in the finale, “The Call Up”: a soaring, uplifting song full of hope and ultimate optimism in spite of all of life’s challenges. The anthemic chorus seems like it was curated specifically to be sung by ~35,000 fans—at the top of their lungs and in unison.
ROME’s first effort is certainly an encouraging one, and hopefully it sets the stage for even better things to come
— Fitzy Mo Peña