NEW ROMAN TIMES
ARTIST: Camper Van Beethoven
RELEASE: 2004
INTERVIEWEE: David Lowery
It's often a surprise when smart-alecks turn serious. When Camper Van Beethoven first came on the scene, their innovative musical approach -- drawing from world music but playing to punk audiences -- had its own ironic undercurrent. And songs like the whimsical "Take the Skinheads Bowling" poked gentle fun at a segment of the band's audience. So it was somewhat unexpected when -- seven studio albums in and after returning from a decade-long hiatus -- the California group created and released a concept album, 2004's New Roman Times. In a blog entry written years after the album's release, singer-songwriter-guitarist David Lowery characterized New Roman Times as a "Sci-Fi Alternate Reality Rock Opera" and "political farce." Those are as clear definitions as any.