Search - Oranger :: Shutdown Sun (Bonus CD)

"Ashes" of the "Sun"

E. A Solinas | MD USA | 07/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."