California Oranges - Imperial Hearts
Artist: California Oranges
Album: Imperial Hearts
Label: Darla
California Oranges has that smooth pop sensibility that would have made them a hit in the years of Marshall Crenshaw and The La’s. Unfortunately, their polished guitar melodies and light vocals may work against them in the current music scene, in which a certain roughness—a memorable voice, a strange instrument, a rough production, or an exaggerated tweeness—is often a selling point. During the first few listens, I found the album divided between these very strong powerpop songs, which I have included below, and softer tracks more in line with The Innocence Mission and (maybe even) Sixpence None the Richer. With each listen, though, the album grows on me and becomes more coherent. Definitely worth a listen if you remember those early-90s pop bands fondly or love bands like Nada Surf and The New Pornographers.
California Oranges – “Brand New Spine”
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(Warning: there is a strange interference buzz at 1:40. It came that way. Don’t be scared.)
Sharp percussion, simple and strong guitar chords, and upbeat vocals make this a really good summer song.
California Oranges – “Travel Writer”
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I’m trying to put my finger on something, but I can’t find the band or song. Something about this song (the chorus specifically) reminds me of 2005 while I was DJing in Athens. Help, anyone? It makes me happy, whatever is triggering my déjà vu.
Right now the album is only available through download, but there will be a limited CD pressing through the band’s label in mid August. Check out the band’s myspace page for more songs. Oh, and buy the album.
One Response to “California Oranges - Imperial Hearts”
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Love both these tunes!
The guitar chord riff in “Brand New Spine” reminds me so much of one band in particular, THE KINKS.
Good find.