In at number 30 is a band that hails from nearby Birmingham, Alabama. This indie-rock set first caught my attention with their song Either/Or, mostly because of the unexpectedly different melody and timing they used in the song; the stop and start of the beat and the buzzing guitars is really something quite amazing. It was something that I couldn’t ignore, and I ended up falling head over heels in love with that song, so I naturally had to check out the rest of the album; and I am very glad that I did. Not only do I love their name (it has Orange in the title!), but I have really come to love their sound and this record.
We Have Cause to Be Uneasy
The vocalist reminds me a bit of what Connor Oberst might sound like if he shouted every once and a while, and got himself in to such a flow of raw emotion, that he had to just let it all loose on the record (which is NOT a condescension to Connor, I love that guy just like he is). This explosion of emotion happens many times on the record, and really expresses the real feeling that went into some of these songs; again, making for some fantastic music.
Overall, this is a great indie-rock album that has some really raw, emotional, and fantastically crafted songs on it. I am so incredibly excited that I found out about these guys, because they are really doing something slightly different, and they are doing it really, really well. Fans of bands like Death Cab For Cutie, as well as Bright Eyes (aka Connor Oberst), should definitely get this album now; these guys have made a great album, and a fantastic contribution to their music genre, and it definitely deserves its place amongst my favorite records of the year.
Sparkle Factor: 
Standouts: Either/Or, Ten Dead Dogs, Sour Milk, Night Terrors, Land Of No Return.
Wow. Pure. Raw. Emotion. You can literally feel it in each downbeat, and in each whisper from Rachael that she is contemplating something so intimate and difficult, that she almost doesn’t have the strength to utter it. Then, the simplicity of repeating, “what if I leave?”, is so palpable, that in hearing this song, you can truly tell that she has been through some shit in a relationship with someone who clearly didn’t understand the ramifications of their actions. Wow. This is such a powerfully contemplative break up song, that I was blown away by it. I absolutely love it for it’s simplicity, which actually makes it so elegant and sophisticated. If you liked this track as much as I do, I highly suggest you pick up Rachael’s most recent release, Elephants… Teeth Sinking In, because it is chock full of bittersweet gems like this one.
This song initially didn’t sway me, because I was skeptical (as you know I can be) for no real reason at all. However, there was something about it that I liked… the guitars, the way the used the starting and stopping of the riffs and the beats, the tenderness of the lead singer’s voice… something kept me coming back to this song. Whatever it was (perhaps the amalgamation of all of those things), I have been listening to this track over and over, and I can say now, without a shadow of a doubt, that I freaking love this song. It is so catchy, and so well crafted, that just begs to be played. I love the toe-tapping beat, and especially enjoy the lead singer’s voice. It is just a great song. After a few listens to the rest of the Wild Sweet Orange record, I definitely think that I have stumbled onto something here, and I am very glad that I kept going back to this track and gave it the shot it definitely deserved. Let this song grow on you if you don’t love it instantly… trust me. It is excellent!
This is one of those songs that I have heard many, many times, and even though I really liked it, I wasn’t motivated enough to download it (what can I say, I’m lazy). Maybe it was because the song is kind of “old” (out in ’06), or maybe it was because it is played a LOT on XM, but whatever the reason, I didn’t pick this one up until the other day (after I heard it again on XM). Well, I have to say, that I am glad that I did, because after listening to it on my ipod, I really realized that this song is MAJOR. This song harnesses some great rock power and great guitar riffs, and it sounds like a blending of the best of Filter with the raw power of Fuel. Now I can see why XM loves this track so much… it’s freaking great. Oh, and after listening to it once, you WILL be singing along. It is infectious… don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Oh Ben Folds. How I love thee!!! I have loved Ben Folds for MANY years (since back when he was with the Ben Folds Five), and my love only grew after his first solo release, Rockin’ The Suburbs, which is a fantastical album. Well, he just released his newest solo effort, Way To Normal, and even though I wasn’t initially blown away, I have definitely enjoyed this record more and more with each passing listen. There are so many fun things about Ben Folds, and his quirky stories and silly lyrics really make him a joy to listen to. I absolutely LOVE the teaming with Regina Spektor on this track, which is a fun, and almost sugary piano-pop track that just can’t be listened to without a smile on your face. There aren’t many artists out there like Ben Folds who are willing to take a stab at music, and make it less serious, and ultimately more fun… he is a welcome addition to my music collection, and has been for quite a while. I am glad that he is still bringing the goods, and making fun music that I definitely enjoy.
I was torn about featuring this track, because of the response a fellow