Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
When in Rome was another in a long line of British pop acts scoring one major hit single before seemingly disappearing without a trace. The 1988 hit "The Promise" was essentially a carbon copy of New Order's radio-friendly dance-rock. Dark yet catchy, boasting a throbbing dance rhythm, a singalong chorus, and a hypnotic melody, "The Promise" certainly deserved the success. Like many one-hit wonders of the '80s, When in Rome failed to maintain the momentum set by its only hit song by releasing a dud of an album. "The Promise," the opening track on When in Rome, starts things off nicely, but the remainder of the album is embarrassingly weak. Vocalists Clive Farrington and Andrew Mann sound just fine solo (as demonstrated on "The Promise"), but their attempts to harmonize on such tunes as "Heaven Knows" and "I Can't Stop" are often laughably bad. "Wide Wide Sea" is the only track here that comes close to matching the dramatic, instantly memorable songcraft of "The Promise"; the rest of the album is utterly forgettable. There are several ways a band could set its place in musical history as a one-hit curio. One way is following quickly dismissed musical trends, exemplified by the endless parade of quickly forgotten disco acts of the '70s. Some artists establish themselves with novelty tunes (like Billy Ray Cyrus or Falco) and struggle to be taken seriously with subsequent releases. But most one-hit wonders are capable of providing only one magical, memorable tune. When in Rome falls into the latter category. "The Promise" is the only When in Rome track anyone really needs, and it is available on a variety of '80s hits compilations.
© William Cooper /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From $10.83/month
Clive Farrington, Composer - Floreale, Composer - When In Rome, MainArtist - Andrew Mann, Composer
(C) 1988 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1988 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1988 Virgin Records Limited
Clive Farrington, Composer - When In Rome, MainArtist - Andrew Mann, Composer - M Floreale, Composer
(C) 1988 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1988 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1988 Virgin Records Limited
When In Rome, MainArtist - M Floreale, Composer - C Farrington, Composer - A Mann, Composer
(C) 1988 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1988 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1988 Virgin Records Limited
When In Rome, MainArtist - M Floreale, Composer - C Farrington, Composer - A Mann, Composer
(C) 1988 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1988 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1988 Virgin Records Limited
Clive Farrington, Composer - Floreale, Composer - When In Rome, MainArtist - Andrew Mann, Composer
(C) 1988 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1988 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1988 Virgin Records Limited
When In Rome, MainArtist - M Floreale, Composer - C Farrington, Composer - A Mann, Composer
(C) 1988 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1988 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1988 Virgin Records Limited
When In Rome, MainArtist - M Floreale, Composer - C Farrington, Composer - A Mann, Composer
(C) 1988 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1988 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1988 Virgin Records Limited
When In Rome, MainArtist - M Floreale, Composer - C Farrington, Composer - A Mann, Composer
(C) 1988 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1988 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1988 Virgin Records Limited
When In Rome, MainArtist - M Floreale, Composer - C Farrington, Composer - A Mann, Composer
(C) 1988 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1988 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1988 Virgin Records Limited
Clive Farrington, Composer - When In Rome, MainArtist - Andrew Mann, Composer - M Floreale, Composer
(C) 1988 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1988 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1988 Virgin Records Limited
Album review
When in Rome was another in a long line of British pop acts scoring one major hit single before seemingly disappearing without a trace. The 1988 hit "The Promise" was essentially a carbon copy of New Order's radio-friendly dance-rock. Dark yet catchy, boasting a throbbing dance rhythm, a singalong chorus, and a hypnotic melody, "The Promise" certainly deserved the success. Like many one-hit wonders of the '80s, When in Rome failed to maintain the momentum set by its only hit song by releasing a dud of an album. "The Promise," the opening track on When in Rome, starts things off nicely, but the remainder of the album is embarrassingly weak. Vocalists Clive Farrington and Andrew Mann sound just fine solo (as demonstrated on "The Promise"), but their attempts to harmonize on such tunes as "Heaven Knows" and "I Can't Stop" are often laughably bad. "Wide Wide Sea" is the only track here that comes close to matching the dramatic, instantly memorable songcraft of "The Promise"; the rest of the album is utterly forgettable. There are several ways a band could set its place in musical history as a one-hit curio. One way is following quickly dismissed musical trends, exemplified by the endless parade of quickly forgotten disco acts of the '70s. Some artists establish themselves with novelty tunes (like Billy Ray Cyrus or Falco) and struggle to be taken seriously with subsequent releases. But most one-hit wonders are capable of providing only one magical, memorable tune. When in Rome falls into the latter category. "The Promise" is the only When in Rome track anyone really needs, and it is available on a variety of '80s hits compilations.
© William Cooper /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 10 track(s)
- Total length: 00:37:47
- Main artists: When In Rome
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Virgin
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 1988 Virgin Records Limited ℗ 1988 Virgin Records Limited
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz?
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalog with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets, and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.