The Other Paper Reviews “Poison Berries”
http://theotherpaper.com/articles/2010/09/16/music/doc4c912fc25054a836367321.txt
Another posthumous release
Who would have thought we’d hear not one, but two releases from the defunct Columbus band Orchestraville in 2010?
In March, the avant-pop act released Invent the Machine, an EP of unreleased music that was recorded in 2001. And now, some more unreleased music.
Poison Berries was originally planned for release on Anyway Records, but in 2004 band members moved away, had babies, etc. Life got in the way, as it tends to do. Acrimonious creative differences or a meddlesome Yoko make for better breakup legends, but in reality, new jobs and pregnant bellies are a band’s likely death knell.
If Invent the Machine was more “avant” than “pop” (as I claimed it was), Poison Berries is the reverse. The record, getting a posthumous digital/vinyl release on Old 3C Records, emphasizes tight songwriting and more-typical song structures.
Singer and principal songwriter Chris Forbes (also guitarist for the Black Swans) sets the tone, as usual, with his steady, slightly nasal vocals, which continue to remind me of the Weakerthans and Luna.
Press releases mention George Harrison as a reference point, and that’s not far off—especially in the album’s pair of Beatles-esque songs, the title track and “Thank You Mr. Washington.” “Lift Me Up” adds a bit of a Doors feel via Parker Paul’s organ flourishes. But I’m most taken with the more naked numbers—the stripped-down, acoustic-heavy “You Wanna Be Like That” and Big Star-like album standout “Phil Ochs Flag.”
On repeated listens, Poison Berries doesn’t always hold my interest through to the end. The dynamic range is pretty steady, Forbes rarely leaves his comfortable range, and the tasteful production can be a bit too white-bread, leaving little room for grit.
But while those complaints keep Poison Berries out of my “excellent” category, it has a strong foothold in the “very good” group.
Orchestraville will play an album-release reunion show at 10 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 18) at the Rumba Cafe, 2507 Summit St. The Alwood Sisters are also on the bill.
- Joel Oliphint
