Orange Can - 'Home Burns' (Regal)
4/5
By: Toby L
This is an interesting one. Orange Can - on establishing themselves on the Regal Recordings label, via the release of a number of short-length recordings and debut album, 'Entrance High Rise' - have become more accessible.
The charm of former releases such as 'Young Man' may still be existent, but - if this album is anything to go by - then the group have gone for a wise departure, into a far more thorough exploration of melody and examination of their own sound (which, ironically, although coming across fuller than ever, is still recorded on the modest equipment of a Roland 8-track). There is also a step-up in priority for what's actually getting sung about - mainly noticeable for the fact that with this LP, Orange Can have chosen to include a lyric-sheet for each song. Bonzer.
Immediate compositions, that you may find grabbing you, include the fluid, and almost lax vibe radiating from opener 'In Your Shoes' and the soothing 'Shoot The Morning Sun', whose languid acoustic and slide guitar is highly reminiscent of label-mates, the Beta Band, and even Neil Young. However, the tone is somewhat more relaxed, in general, which is pretty un-shocking at this stage of the proceedings, with the only mildly barmy occurrence in the record's disc-time existing within 'Ransom', which chooses to don the rather suspect inclusion of a cheery trumpet. Mmm. Another of the few occasions when it all goes a bit unexpected dwells within the Led Zep-esque solo in 'Only', providing a welcome escape to the play-it-safe ambience.
Overall, this comes across as that kind of CD you'll either choose to store away for those long summer days or cold winter nights, listen to incessantly in the evening, or simply want to throw at someone. To find out if it's going appeal to you, ask yourself the following:1) Am I stressed out in my day-job?2) Do I listen to too much Papa Roach?3) Do I smoke dope on a regular basis?If the answer to one or more of these is yes, then whether you enjoy the record or not is irrelevant - you need to buy this album. Sure, it's fair to say you're not going to hear a huge variation of styles on 'Home Burns', but the likelihood is that you'll come away from hearing it with an at-ease temperament and a smile on your face... Rather unlike Slipknot's latest offering. Which is a good thing.
Artists in this article: Orange Can
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