It’s a running theme that this is the year of the no regret, the time of living for today. One artist throwing his rocker hat into the ring and kicking up the temperature is Ed Roman. His song “Tomorrow Is Today” highlights the importance of living life to the fullest, but also shines the light on taking time to cherish those moments. It’s not the Hallmark movie you’d imagine, rather, the vibe to this song is the same as it were a traveling rock tour bus hitting town after town. You just want to jump on the ride to make sure you’re in tomorrow’s audience.
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/specialedroman/
In an anthemic-like rise, the clap percussions signal that this song is a communal experience. Roman, a Canadian, takes his cue from Queen (especially in “We Will Rock You”) in this regard, but he makes it bit more Americana-folk-rock. He binges on the energy from the keys (a slight synth tone) and a proletariat like protagonist to make way for all of us working stiffs. This is the song for the working-class, the doers. Roman, the singer/songwriter behind such songs as “I Told You Sow” (2014) and “Stronger” (2020), has a long-history of getting his listeners to think more about the rock guitar and the intoxicating bass grooves than more about what he’s singing. Don’t get me wrong, the guy can sing. He has this lively delivery that is made for the streets of rock and roll intersecting at the corner of country and roots music.
Yesterday’s gone, tomorrow is today, he sings. He’s not asking for sacrifice, he’s not begging you to give up anything. Roman has a cool-hand-Luke way of spouting out truths that almost make you feel like you’re listening to the smartest guy in the room. He might be, this is true. But, as a listener, I got the sense his artistry is about connecting with his listeners on their level. He stays within his own lane. He’s a regular guy and his song compositions just so happen to be explosions of rock, happy synth and a boatload of bass guitar. What could be more merriment and misfit-like? Oh, I know. His bass playing. Good golly, the bass work in this song is stupid good. Just when you think you’re going to hear yet another rock / country rock track that shifts its bass guitar arrangement into the corner, here comes Roman boasting his bass. What a treat. The electric guitar, at times sounding more Tom Petty than twangy, is that perfect mix of the country rock flavorings. He nails it.
DEEZER: https://www.deezer.com/us/track/1055293692?autoplay=true
I think Roman is the king of the misfits. He’s brash, he’s clever and he’s fearless. “Tomorrow Is Today” surpasses all expectations and converted me to a true fan of Roman’s artistic charm. He’s got the talent, the grit to back it up and I can’t wait to hear this song live in concert. That tomorrow feels like a long time from now, but it’s worth anticipating. As is “Tomorrow Is Today” – a great song.
Jodi Marxbury