Returning to Romantica's America

Romantica
“America”
2024 Records
2007

Romantica’s frontman, Ben Kyle, along with his parents and six siblings, moved from Northern Ireland to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the United States when he was thirteen. He worked with his father, a doctor-turned-minister, cleaning department stores after hours to support the family. In addition to instilling a solid work ethic in his son, he taught him to play guitar and write songs. He has utilized these skills in his band, Romantica, and solo endeavors for over twenty years. Although the band lineup has changed, Kyle has consistently delivered intensely personal snapshots from his life, singing about what he knows best: family loyalty and the meanings of connectedness.

The band’s second album, “America,” was recorded entirely in a home studio built by the band. It's a solid, melodic collection of folk-rock ballads written by Kyle. It opens with “Queen of Hearts,” a song that explores the allure of a relationship likely to lead to heartbreak, despite its promise of immediate fulfillment. Kyle’s longing and heartfelt lyrics on "I Need You Tonight" express the emotions of lovers separated by distance, conveying his desire for her to know she is foremost in his thoughts and how he misses home.

“The National Side” is a deeply autobiographical song that recounts the Kyle family history and their move to the States. The title refers to the field hockey team for which their mother played in Ireland. The song captures childhood dreams of following in her footsteps in the sport and tales of his siblings' misadventures during their youth. Familial love permeates as the rhythmic guitar, drums, horns, and accordion guide the listener along this journey of reminiscence.

“Drink the Night Away” evokes the anticipation, excitement, and anxiety of youthful friendship and an evening that leads to self-medication and regretful intoxication. “What was Jesus thinking when he let me sink into the arms of the Lord?” suggests the inner conflict between faith and doubt.

Though it’s slow and brooding, the darkest song on the record, “Ixcatan” is strangely beautiful, with Luke Jacobs’s bass and Eric Heywood’s pedal steel guitar conveying the tension and gravity as it relates the story of an outlaw shooting in the mountains of Mexico. “Fiona” is a bittersweet song about youthful courtship set against the backdrop of living in a troubled Belfast at the time. The sweet innocence of walking a girl home where bombs are exploding into the night, and where “Even the cops were scared out of their minds.”

“The Gulf of Mexico” changes gears with fond memories of carefree summers spent with friends. “La Traviada” is about Craig Kelly, a professional snowboarder, who died in 2003 near Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada, in an avalanche that trapped eight people, killing Kelly and six others. While the song concerns Kelly, it also addresses the cost of our passions and the price we sometimes pay for them.

“How to Live in a Modern World” is straight-up country in the tradition of Gram Parsons, followed by the meditative “God Walks on Water,” a spiritual reflection on life, love, and all the mysteries we don’t understand. “Tomorrow I'll know, today I've been guessing, one day's curse, another day's blessing.”

Our journey concludes with “Quiver,” a sweet, simple love song, and the ambiguous “Mateo.” Although its meaning remains elusive, it is beautifully rendered by Kyle’s gentle voice in harmony with the violin and cello, culminating in the last three minutes with just guitar and piano. This feels like a fitting conclusion to everything that has come before it.

While Ben Kyle’s talent as a singer, songwriter, and musician cannot be overstated, Romantica operates as a cohesive unit, bringing these songs to life seamlessly. The album's warm and upbeat feel is achieved through the artistry of Luke Jacobs on guitar, bass, electric piano, and vocals, along with Mark Hedlund and James Orvis on drums, and Eric Heywood on pedal steel guitar, Erik Brandt on piano, organ, and accordion. Jessy Greene's delicate use of strings melds perfectly with these songs, elevating even the most somber numbers to create something beautiful and uplifting. Not to be overlooked are the warm backup vocals performed by siblings Abby, Jayanthi, and Laurie Kyle on this album.

This album offers an incredible journey through Ben Kyle's reflections on family, friends, and their shared histories, and his keen observations of the world he inhabits. The songs convey deep love, introspection, spiritual conflict, healing, and a healthy gratitude for life as one who has found their place in this fragile modern world. Album highlights include “The National Side,” “Drink the Night Away,” and “Fiona.”