“It’s nice to be important, but it’s also important to be nice. So let it be written, so let it be done. Leave a message…eh la bas.” With these simple words of advice Zigaboo Modeliste of Meters’ fame contributes to the fourth track on When in Rome in a unique way—with his answering machine. The Romeos used Modeliste’s answering machine message of wisdom to open the song.

As for the rest of the album by these Louisiana natives from Alexandria, the overall impression was very good. The opening track, “Journey,” almost seems like a country tune. Other tracks sound nothing like the first. “Hole” relies heavily on slow lyrics with a lack of fancy instrumentation, but “I Saw Her Yesterday” moves at a quicker pace. The song talks about a guy trying to get a girl back, but simply responds, “You ain’t no Romeo.”

I will say one song is about New Orleans for sure. “Home in One Piece” offers a story about a guy trying to get home from the Quarter. One interesting tale in the song involves a guy running into “a stylish shemale” who asks for directions and writes them down with lipstick. After which the guy says, “Get me home in one piece.”

I guess we should give Central Louisiana a chance with this one.