Posted on: December 7, 2010 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

The high-flying rock aerobatics that Oranger pulls off during the title track for this album has the band split up figuratively for increasing returns – there are at least two different levels that the band plays at during this track, and through their success in this field, individuals already know that the band is serious. Where Weezer have been stealin Steve Miller Band’s guitar riffs for the last few years, and The Donnas have traded in their pop-punk for a seventies’ revivalism, Oranger makes no pretense that this is their sound, not simply a mantle to be donned for the space of one album.

Even if the band shows their preference for the sounds of Blue Oyster Cult and Thin Lizzy on their sleeves, a distinct parallel between tracks like “Garden Party for the Murder Pride” and Beck’s “Midnite Vultures” begin to become visible. Each track on “New Comes and Goes” uses clear, simplistic arrangements to affect Oranger’s listeners in a more guttural way; for example during “Outtatoch”, the outward sound of the disc really feels to be no more complicated than the average Ramones song, even as the guitar wank-o-rama impassions all that listen to it. Even simple chord progression, such as the guitar solo present on “Whacha Holden” will be incredibly enticing to listeners of all stripes, whether they be punkers, the average bar patron or even rock traditionalists. There are some minor snags during this album, specifically those present in “Crones”. This twin terror is manifest in the milking for too long of certain arrangements by the band; while some of the guitar riffs can be used to great fanfare, the response quickly sours when the line is used too long.

However, Oranger’s strongest suit is in the modification of their sound while still maintaining the hallmarks that distinguish their music from the rest on the scene; there are even times during the album (Light Machine, Target You By Feel) that Mike’s vocals achieve a They Might Be Giants-like sound. Oranger comes out with an album of radio hits, able enough to span the vast expanses of commercial radio, whether it be rock, alternative or anything else that the band is thrown. With infectious rhythms matching with equally-well arranged music, it is only a matter of time before Oranger takes the mantle that Cake and Beck have largely departed in the current time. Pick this up before they blow up!

Top Tracks: New Comes and Goes, Target You By Feel

Rating: 7.0/10

Oranger – New Comes and Goes / 2005 Eenie Meenie / 13 Tracks / http://www.oranger.net / http://www.eeniemeenie.com / Reviewed 24 July 2005

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