Orienteers - Orienteers

  by Andy Cassidy

published: 12 / 10 / 2011

Label: Antique Room Records
Format: CD

intro

Majestic space rock on eponymous second album from Ottawa-based five-piece, Orienteers.

Formerly known as That’s the Spirit, Ottawa five piece Orienteers changed their name to reflect their tendency to write about travel. This is the band’s second LP, and the first to be released under their new name. The opening track, 'Valediction', sets the mood perfectly for what is to come - a solo guitar playing a simple yet beautiful melody with no accompaniment. Reminiscent of Nancy Wilson’s soundtrack work, the track is a straightforward composition, but it is extremely effective and affecting. 'Walking Song' features gentle, understated vocals along with the haunting twang of pedal steel guitar and a hushed piano backing track. The vocal and steel motif continues on 'May-Queen Girl', a track which sounds like a lo-fi first cousin of Pink Floyd’s 'Eclipse'. A beautiful slab of vocal harmonies and synth opens the wonderful 'A Hymn for the Old Salt'. Like the soundtrack from a dream funeral, the track builds slowly without ever threatening to overshadow the pastoral mood of the piece. 'Mastodon' begins with a somewhat incongruous build-up of a guitar drenched in overdrive, but the unsettling effect soon gives way to yet another wonderful, lo-fi track of great subtlety and refinement. Nicholas Dyson’s trumpet plays the meandering introduction to piano and synth led instrumental 'Man Turns to Sunshine'. It is another extremely competent piece, musically taking its inspiration from Yo La Tengo or Ry Cooder’s soundtrack to 'Paris, Texas'. The album closes with the trippy 'Entirely'. Built around a looping piano and guitar motif, the track is a low-tempo version of Panda Bear with yet another outstanding vocal by Ben Wilson. This is a hugely enjoyable album. Ben Wilson, who wrote all of the songs, clearly has his song craft down pat, and his wonderfully realised production adds depth and a sense of wonder to the each and every track. Orienteers may not be to everyone’s taste – some might find it just too slow and dreamy – but, personally, I loved it from the opening bar of 'Valediction' to the closing fade of 'Entirely'. I fully intend to pick up the That’s The Spirit album at the earliest opportunity – if it is anything like Orienteers, I’m sure that I’m bound to love it too.

Track Listing:-