Mirrors & Smoke
Released: Nov. 3, 2023
Here’s the final album of this year’s quadra-fecta. I bring you Mirrors & Smoke. It strikes me that I’ve recorded all these songs with the goal of duping the listener into thinking a real life band performed the material. Dear reader, I’m here to let you in on some inside biz: I recorded the whole damn thing. The most artificial part of each song are the drums. I’ve used state-of-the-art technology to fool you! (Malicious villain laugh here)
Why? Because, time is a precious thing. I’ve become very fast at writing and recording. I can easily knock out a complete song in 3 hours. It’s all in the ol’ noggin. There’s very little guesswork and fiddling about. Why torture and prod people into doing things my way? I don’t have the scratch to pay people to do my bidding. Even then, nobody enjoys it. I know what I like. People have day jobs and adult responsibilities!
These songs are mellower maybe than the ones in the last few releases. I figure, we’re heading into winter here, let’s give folks something eat pumpkin pie to. Enjoy.
Zugzwang Alakazam
Released: Aug. 4, 2023
“Zugzwang” in chess, is kinda like a “pickle” in baseball. A runner is between bases is trying like hell to not get tagged out by the 2 surrounding basemen. You’re stuck in a predicament without many options. Sometimes you can wiggle out, but only if you’re very lucky. We all know what “Alakazam” is. It’s a magical spell used to conjure things like doves, some cool smoke, or heck maybe a rabbit.
I gotta say, dear reader. I’ve felt stuck. I often feel like the only person truly in my corner is myself. I make these songs and listen to them and think, “These are pretty great, me!”, and I’m confused because I don’t get immediate and heartfelt feedback from folks. Granted, there’s plenty of very great music being made all the time these days, but I do feel like I’m farting perfume in the midst of an aloof tornado.
All that is to say. I think these might be the best songs I wrote last year. I think. Depending on the day.
AM/FM/AC & Heat
Released: May. 5, 2023
As one gets older – if you’re lucky – you look back fondly at your younger days. Lately, I often chuckle to myself when I recall awkward moments, mistakes made, opportunities squandered.
The paradox of youth is that you’re at your strongest mentally and physically, but – unless you’re a monster – aren’t comfortable enough in your radiant skin and full head of hair, to adequately get anything effectively accomplished. That’s what I experienced anyway. Others perhaps had better luck.
I like where I’ve ended up though, and so I see all that has happened as a good lead up to “the now”.
Most of this album is reflection of youth and the past using musical tropes of the past. I’m a nostalgist at heart after all. I put myself in worn out shoes and took a stroll, here’s the slideshow.
Toro At The Gong Show
Released: Feb. 3, 2023
In 2022, I set out to write and record one song per week, and by some minor miracle of fortitude, I actually pulled it off. If you’ve been paying attention dear reader, you’d know that I published them here every week.
Consistent with my character and nature, I happen to love everything I’ve done. It’s my cross to bear.
In the event that others agree, I’ve decided to release a selection of those 52 songs as 4 albums. This is the first one. I purposefully chose 9 of the most fun songs of the lot and in 90’s fashion added a weird closer. It’s my album, you can’t tell me what to do.
Feel Good.
Released: Sept. 3, 2021
Last year I released the album “Melatonin Doomsday Blues” which was inexplicably included in Aquarium Drunkard’s 2020 Year in Review.
In a spurt of confidence, I’ve furiously written and recorded a follow-up called “Feel Good.” which is perhaps more cautiously optimistic (power-poptimistic?) in its scathing commentary about current stuff. Of course, there are also songs about horses, parenthood, and doing Scarlett Johanssen’s dishes. It might be less of a pastiche collection than “Melatonin” and closer to my natural inclinations.
Melatonin Doomsday Blues
Released: Jul. 17 2020
Like many albums, Melatonin Doomsday Blues is about its own particular time and place. It’s a comment on the abuse of power, wealth, tribalism, nationalism, food, home, family, connection, and hope. I was trying my best to write and record simple songs and tried hard to avoid my tendency to be too clever, with varying levels of success. I’m not sure how cohesive these songs are in relation to one another, I think it flows well and I’m a sucker for variety anyway. I wrote and recorded this in my living room and kitchen table using Garageband if that means anything to you. Hope you are well here in the blistering sun of 2020. Today is July 17th. Yesterday was my birthday!
Retreater
Released: Mar. 1 2019
When our Best of Burque Music reader’s poll drops, I retreat to the comfort of mi chante to contemplate the latest recordings emanating from the independent principality of Bandcamp. It’s from such an austere cloister that realizations like the following are made. Local music magician Javier Romero deserves way more credit than he gets for his unassuming yet profoundly realized rocanrol emanations. Though we may differ on the significance of Weezer beyond the boundaries of the mythical blue, Romero understands what kick-ass rock music sounds like and can create it seamlessly at the touch of a button, That’s clearly evidenced on his latest effort, Retreater. Part GBV and all Javier—with a bit of Big Star and The Attractions thrown in for fun—this album is genuine, maximum rock-n-roll. Favorite track: “There’s a Ghost In The House.” – Sonic Reducer / Weekly Alibi
…Does Buddy Holly Songs In The Style of Weezer
Released: Aug. 13 2018
Last year (2017) I visited the Norman Petty Recording Studio in Clovis NM where Buddy Holly (among many others) recorded a majority of his catalog. I didn’t know what to expect, but upon entering I was nearly brought to gleeful tears.
Fast forward a little while when I head Buddy Holly by Weezer on the radio. I wondered it Weezer ever actually covered a Buddy Holly song. Turns out they never have, so I thought I’d record a bunch of Buddy Holly songs in the style of Weezer.
Endless Summer
Released: Oct. 2 2012
This is a collection of songs that I wrote and recorded between 2009 and 2012. Here’s what Alex DeVore of Santa Fe Reporter said about the album:
If you spent the late ’90s and early-oughts at shows in the Railyard or Warehouse 21, the new solo project from former Mistletoe and Cherry Tempo frontman Javier Romero probably won’t surprise you. And that’s a good thing. Romero has always had a knack for writing songs that fall someplace near the early days of indie, but through a John Lennon-meets-Jeff Lynne lens. The man has a gift for sweetly harmonizing guitar parts and concocts vocal melodies so totally perfect, you’ll almost be jealous of his ability. Standout tracks like “Lavender Seahorse” could very well appear on an album from the criminally under-appreciated Polaris while holding onto Romero’s well-established sensibilities, and if you hear a cooler or catchier song than “A Sunset in the 70s” this year, we’d be surprised. Romero has toiled in relative obscurity long enough, and Endless Summer needs to be in your rotation immediately.