Orange Humble Band - Depressing Beauty

by Carl Bookstein

published: 5 / 7 / 2015

Label: Citadel Records
Format: CD

intro

Sad yet evocative third album from power pop supergroup, the Orange Humble Band

With members heralding from Australia to America, the Orange Humble Band release their third album, recorded in Memphis, 'Depressing Beauty'. The album is at times a touch sad, but simultaneously lovely. Core band members are Ken Stringfellow, Mitch Easter, Jody Stephens of Big Star and Darryl Mather alongside Jon Auer, Dave Smith and Rick Steff. The band members reunited in Austin, while celebrating a sneak preview of the Big Star documentary 'Nothing Can Hurt Me'. Chiming brightly from the start, 'You Close Your Eyes' is pure pop craft and rich alternative rock, featuring layered guitars, a well crafted musical arrangement and a thoughtful lyric: “Things get much more clear, when you look inside.” 'The Girl without a Name' is an eloquent love song with rich strings: violin, viola and cello, tastefully symphonic and pulling at your heartstrings. “She’s a sensation… my only salvation.” 'Conversations with Myself' possesses a folk rock based feel with rising strings - quite a bit maudlin, but comfortingly so - sad, but simultaneously healing. Then 'Sowannadoit' changes up to pure positivity: “Now you’ve came along and set me free from my mind.” 'Our Beautiful Selves' is reminiscent of drummer Jody Stephens legendary power pop band Big Star, with singing about being young and in love. 'If That’s What You Want' is a pure rocker, charging out of the gate. 'Get Straight Down' is melodic, appealing rock and roll, and on 'Once My Precious You', a distinctive Big Star influence can again be heard- slightly sad and yet at once bright and buoyant, with stinging electric guitar present here. 'Emma Amanda' is gorgeous and evocative. With heartfelt beauty, it speaks to wanting good out of life despite sadness. In the end, its answer being the question “Don’t you wanna dance?” This soul-soothing album gets increasingly strong as it progresses. The album includes enchanting horns and a rapture of strings, building in momentum. The closer 'Something Goin’ On' speaks to sadness, yet once again in a healing cathartic way. With a fine soothing delivery, the Orange Humble Band melodically takes their listener home.

Track Listing:-

1 You Close Your Eyes
2 The Girl Without A Name
3 Conversations With Myself
4 Sowannadoit
5 Ain't Tougher Than Me
6 Our Beautiful Selves
7 If That's What You Want
8 Get Straight Down
9 Once My Precious You
10 Oughta Feel Ashamed
11 No One Cares About Me
12 Emma Amanda
13 Upon Cindy's Will
14 With The Universe In My Hand
15 Something Goin' On

Band Links:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Orange_Humble_Band
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Official-Orange-Humble-Band/4448704

Label Links:-

http://www.citadel-records.com/
https://www.facebook.com/citadel.records

reviews

Humblin' (Across America) (2005)

Reissue of classic debut album from power pop supergroup the Orange Humble Band', which includes in its line-up Ken Stringfellow, Big Star's Jody Stephens, producers Jamie Hoover and Mitch Easter and Coronet Blue's Antony Bautovich

Humblin Across America (2002)