“In this context, it’s worth making the distinction between Southern Rock and rock that happens to be played by Southerners.”

In some circles, Roman Candle have been one of the great unsubstantiated rumors of modern pop-rock. The Chapel Hill quintet’s whip-smart 2002 LP Says Pop earned them a dedicated cult following, although it did little for their national profile:

“Like the Jayhawks’ Smile or Summerteeth-era Wilco, RC’s arresting debut is a smart-bomb stunner.”

Although its North Carolina roots have contributed to Roman Candle’s thoroughly inaccurate alt-country tag, it’s understandable why the Chapel Hill quintet has drawn comparisons with the Jayhawks and Wilco (both bands that also quickly outgrew that confining description). Like the ‘Hawks’ “Smile ” or “Summerteeth”-era Wilco, RC’s arresting debut — originally released in 2002 as “Says Pop” and since re named and re worked with ex-dB’s member Chris Stamey producing — is a smart-bomb stunner whose material moves with cool ease and crisp authority amid multi layered hooks and moods.

“Don’t believe me? Find an autumn roof and bring a sixer of your favorite beer and this album. You’ll thank me (and Roman Candle).”

Look, I’m old enough to remember that it was not only acceptable at one time to make an album like this, but actually preferred. And—get this —people enjoyed it. The Wee Hours Revue miraculously maintains a current appeal while channeling faded strains of Oasis, the Jayhawks, the Rolling Stones, and ’90s alt-rock charisma. Does that scare you? It shouldn’t—unless you’re a hipster.

Campus Scenes That Rock:
#4 Chapel Hill, North Carolina”

Why Now? Once primed for becoming a next-Seattle post-grunge mecca -
which never happened – the city’s indie-rock program hasn’t thrown in the towel.
But it’s the ability to weave in a new breed of singer-songwriters without giving
up the goods that actually made it a scene that keeps it thriving.

Band on the Rise: Roman Candle – explosive new darlings.