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Dex Romweber's Evolution Plays Well

DEX ROMWEBER DUO: RUINS OF BERLIN (BLOODSHOT) ***1/2

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By CURTIS ROSS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 12, 2009

Jonathan Richman once sang about growing "Dignified and Old." Dex Romweber is only in his early 40s but he projects a dignity on "Ruins of Berlin" that's rare in rock 'n' roll.

It's even rarer when the person in question emerged more than 20 years ago as a scary-wild rockabilly raver.

Romweber's guitar-and-drums outfit, Flat Duo Jets, created the template used by White Stripes and Black Keys. Romweber still employs the same format, with sister Sara (ex-Let's Active) on the skins, simply because that's all he needs.

He says more with six strings than some bands do with six pieces. Sara drives things along with precise economy while sparing additions of bongos, bass and sax - as well as guest vocal shots by Exene Cervenka, Neko Case and Cat Power - add a bit of color.

But it's Dex's voice - big and clear and lonely as a Western sky - that dominates the album. A track such as "Picture of You" could be called retro but in truth, its sound and sentiments are timeless as a John Ford film: It might be from a different time but you couldn't call it dated.

Romweber reaches far and wide for his remakes: "Lovers' Gold," made popular by Ella Fitzgerald; Tammy Wynette's "Still Around"; the standard "Love Letters." But you'll be hard pressed to tell most of the covers from Romweber originals such as "Camilla's Gone" or "Grey Skies."

Instrumental "Cigarette Party" merges spy and surf, but the rest of the album is haunted by a mystery less tangible but far more affecting. The chords and words may be as old as the hills, but the emotions expressed still run deep and wide.

Download this: "Picture of You"

CDs are rated on a scale of zero to four stars.

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