Review Text
ROMANS was established as an organized and recognizable apostolate in the Cincinnati, Ohio area in July of 1996, and currently consists of five enthusiastic young Catholic men. Blessed with a passion for music, they have dedicated themselves to serving the Lord and His Church with the many gifts they have been given. ROMANS specializes in the presentation of familiar Catholic songs wrapped in the modern musical skin of our times. Sharing the story of God and His Church in a language contemporary culture can relate to, while boldly celebrating the richness of our Catholic Faith and heritage. Building upon a strong foundation, which includes over 14 years of experience in both sacred and secular music, ROMANS embodies a knowledgeable understanding of diverse musical styles. From Celtic to Southern Gospel, world beat to urban hip hop, Gregorian chant to sounds of the tropics, ROMANS' music crosses many boundaries of culture and age and unites their listeners in an uplifting experience of praise. The broad appeal of a pop sensibility combined with well-known melodies inspires listeners to not only live their Faith but to take it out into the world. This, combined with the ability to produce music in their own recording studio, makes ROMANS an influential force in shaping the future of contemporary Catholic music. With little marketing effort, their first studio project Come to Life, released in the fall of 1998, produced enthusiastic support and rave reviews from all ages. This opened the door to many exciting opportunities, which include performing for as many as 10,000 at various men's and women's conferences and music festivals as well as countless intimate gatherings. In a short time, ROMANS has proven themselves to be a strong presence in the Catholic music scene. Perhaps the most inspiring and frequently heard response is that ROMANS is 'common grounds for uniting families' musical differences.' In early 2000, inspired with the success of their first recording, ROMANS began production on their sophomore studio project High Fidelity, and embarked on a series of life-changing experiences that included the departure of one of the original members. Faced with a partially completed recording and the loss of a key component of their trademark sound, the remaining members had to prayerfully consider whether or not the band was to continue. These experiences ultimately led to a re-making of the band and the completion of High Fidelity, which together provide a segue into the next chapter of ROMANS. The completion of High Fidelity has opened a new and exciting door for the group, which includes the addition of two new members. With an eye to the future, ROMANS is working to grow their apostolate into a testimony of God's grace and action in their lives. This has led to an improved live presentation and a more aggressive marketing strategy, and will ultimately lead to more recordings in God's time. ROMANS' goal is to inspire all Catholics to a deeper love for and commitment to their Faith and to help them take their Faith out to the world with zeal. And although their music is 'contemporary', ROMANS works to keep tradition from becoming a casualty of the modern explosion of contemporary worship that has swept through the Church in more recent years. The members of ROMANS humbly acknowledge the many gifts that God has given them as well as their many shortcomings. They seek to glorify God by proving once again that God can make use of ordinary men to do extraordinary things.
