 
Over the past few weeks I’ve been listening on and off to Roommate’s 2008 release, We Were Enchanted. The album is a little on the darker side, and reminds me somewhat of John Vanderslice’s albums, such as Time Travel is Lonely and Emerald City. Both artists give off a paranoid feeling at times, but Roommate is even more eerie.
Truthfully, I’m a bigger fan of their lighter toned songs like “Day After” (half way through)Â and “Night (Rhombus Cover).” Some of the songs that are more rigid are less appealing to me, similar to how I feel about some of Vanderslice’s work, but overall I would still recommend you check out the album.
Kent Lambert originally started Roommate as a solo-project in 2000, and after moving from Iowa City to New York, recorded an EP, Celebs. Soon after 9/11 he relocated to Chicago, and has been there ever since. In 2004, Lambert formed a live band with a variety of members–you can see the list on their Myspace. Members of the live band change based on availability, playing instruments such as musical saw, banjo, violin, theremin, Buchla Music Box, and bassoon, as well as hand percussion and traditional rock instruments.
For more on the band and recording check out Chicago Reader.
We Were Enchanted (2008):
Roommate – Night (Rhombus Cover) – This doesn’t represent rest of band’s music.
Roommate – Day After (wait through intro)
Songs The Animals Taught Us (2005; re-released 2006):
 Site | Amazon | iTunes | Myspace
Bonus:
Emerald City (2007):