From the Ashes of Electric Elves

Oranger | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: September 23, 2003
• Label: Jackpine Social Club
• Copyright: 2003 Jackpine Social Club
• Total Length: 1:19:22
• Genres: Alternative Rock/Indie & Lo-Fi
• ASIN: B000QZWUYS
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #588,764 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine Brian Wilson-styled Pop, October 30, 2003

By 

Pop Kulcher "Pop Kulcher" (San Carlos, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shutdown the Sun (Bonus CD) (Audio CD)

Pop Kulcher Review: Oranger is a fine but still relatively unknown San Francisco-area pop band that is steadily evolving from their more jagged earlier work to a smooth, polished (but still entertaining) sound. Earlier work by the band came on like a cross between mid-60's Who and the Flaming Lips (with a dose of XTC thrown into the mix), acidic power pop that was catchy if not always approachable. The latest album, though, shows a full-fledged dive into Brian Wilson territory, much more relaxed and textured. So there are fewer in-your-face spectacular moments than prior albums, but overall it's a much more consistent album. This fits in comfortably alongside other neo-pop bands like Apples in Stereo and Beulah, and it's pretty tough not to like. Even better is the "bonus" cd of b-sides and rarities appended to the package. The 34 bonus tracks run the gamut from short, instrumental soundtrack-type throwaways to near-perfect pop singles. The bonus disc may be limited, so if you pick this up make sure you're getting the 2-cd version. Even with the filler tracks, it's the second disc that makes this a killer purchase.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better Than You, May 24, 2004

By 

Chris Hollas "Larry" (Santa Monica, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shutdown the Sun (Bonus CD) (Audio CD)

Smart, big guitar, super pop. Disc one is the quiet "studio album", disc two is misc. b-sides and rarities (including punk gem "Bleeding Kneecaps"). Overall more good songs than most bands ever write. The Who, Beach Boys (not in the usual lame sense), The Minders, The Kinks and Overwhelming Colorfast all come to mind. Why aren't these guys on everybody's top ten list. Can't wait to see what they do next.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning, March 3, 2004

By 

David N. Fox "snork" (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shutdown the Sun (Bonus CD) (Audio CD)

Mike Drake is an amazing songwriter, and this is his crowning achievement. While the first two Oranger records had good songs and sometimes excellent arrangements, they were often overburdened with the sounds of the band's influences. Here, however, they are at home with their own sound, and the playing reinforces the songs rather than competes with them. Not a weak song on the first disk, & the bonus disk will blow you away.