“Crones”
from the album New Comes and Goes
2005
Download a free MP3 of “Crones” from Eenie Meenie Records
Oranger may look like an average rock band, and their line-up is utterly standard (two guitars, bass, drums, the occasional keyboard or theremin, and vocals), but they have some subtle tricks up their sleeve. Anyone who has seen these energetic San Franciscans live must wonder how it is that their accessible, upbeat pop hasn’t earned them a higher profile. Fortunately, New Comes and Goes, with its irresistible hooks and charming vocals, will surely spell an end to Oranger’s obscurity.
Opener “Crooked in the Weird of the Catacombs” kick-heavy rhythm leaves enough room at the end of the phrase for a surf-style double snare hit, with which you’ll be compelled to clap along, if not dance outright. Mike Drake’s nonchalant John Mcrea-style baritone sits a little low in the mix, sliding in and out of focus, but demands the spotlight all the same. His lyrics, which shift between slightly cryptic and transparently obvious, seem appropriate given his voice’s detached quality, but more importantly, they don’t distract from the warmth and immediacy of his performance. By the time the title track comes along (only two songs in), Oranger’s bias for the conventional verse/chorus/verse formula is wholly evident.
Don’t be surprised to hear late-album gems “Whacha Holden” and “Crones” on the radio in the near future. “Whacha Holden”‘s cleverly syncopated percussion and interestingly voiced guitar parts buoy Drake’s pleasantly resigned vocals as he sings, “What you had wasn’t right / You got no one left tonight.” On “Watcha Holden”, a prominent chord-heavy bass riff harmonizes beautifully with a gentle back-and-forth guitar line. Meanwhile, wistful layered vocals repeat the same simple words, and you won’t mind because the song’s so damn pretty: “I don’t want to wait / I don’t care at all / Nothing’s gonna change your mind / Nothing’s gonna change you.” After a robust tambourine-laden bridge, the verse returns with a silvery Wurlitzer line that’s too cool to go unmentioned.
Further deviation from the time-tested verse/chorus/verse format might do more to set Oranger apart from the crowd, but they strike a good balance between accessible and subtly inventive. New Comes and Goes is a solid addition to their discography; properly promoted, and supported by the group’s energetic live performances, it could well be their golden ticket to pop stardom.