Customer Reviews

From the Ashes of Electric Elves

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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.

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.

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.

San Francisco quartet Oranger is one of those gloriously offbeat indierock bands, which deserves to be well known, yet somehow isn't. And their third album, "Shutdown the Sun," is an indie masterpiece that goes quietly under the radar, yet is unforgettable when you've heard it.

Oranger slowly builds up to a sweet, bluesy guitar song, which slowly gets wrapped in layers of ethereal keyboard. Some songs, like "Going Under" or the sizzly short "Just A Little Dumb" are made up of dense, danceable fuzz-rock. But with some other songs, there's a more delicate, psychedelic sound. Think the Flaming Lips' earlier work

This is the disc that really hooks you into the Oranger sound -- these four guys have a knack for making 60s-inspired rock'n'roll. They have a little punk, a little psychedelica, and a lot of gritty fuzzy stuff, and their songs are wound tightly enough that it's hard to find individual flaws and weaknesses.

But once the windy rock of "Delivered By Compass" is over, switch discs. There's also a sprawling second CD, "From the Ashes of Electric Elves," packed with rarities, live songs, B-sides and previously unreleased recordings. It's not as tight or rich as "Shutdown the Sun," but its swoony psychpop, catchy pop numbers and angular experimental songs are even more fun.

Sometimes they are great songs, and sometimes the guys just sound like they're messing around. It lacks the moodiness of the first disc. Instead, we have the goofy alien-rock "Space Colony Boogie" and "The Rover," psych-punk "Bleeding Kneecaps," sparkling "Pleschette Gun," and an instrumental goof-off at the finale, "Twenty-Three Skiddoo Takes 1-6."

Although "From the Ashes of Electric Elves" could easily stand as an album on its own, it was wisely paired with a more polished, conventional CD. While both discs are excellent, and show off Oranger at their best, they also show different facets of the rock group's sound -- "Ashes" is more experimental, eclectic and funny, while "Shutdown" is richly dense and steady.

Mike Drake has a nice voice, very drawly and able to stand above the music. He also does some wonderfully low-key work on the guitar, backed by Matt Harris's solid bass, Jim Linday's sharp drums, and Patrick Main's outstanding keybards. They all do exceptional work, and different songs allow them to shine.

Oranger make the best album of their career thus far (a new album will be out in the fall) in "Shutdown the Sun," and pair this glorious album with an equally worthy rarities collection. A must-have.

Awesome CD. It arrived quickly and in great condition. I bought it for my son for Christmas and he loves it.