ORANGE ISLAND
Everything You Thought You Knew (Iodine Recordings)
Reviewed by Erick Mertz

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Orange Island's debut full-length album Everything You Thought You Knew is a lot of things at once. Filled with peals of thunder, dense arrangements and pleading desperate lyrics, the four guys could be accused of selling from a number of musical categories: anywhere from pop/punk to "emo." Setting the convenience of labeling aside, Orange Island sounds like a ferocious, caged beast looking to unleash itself given the opportunity.

The songs on Everything You Thought You Knew detail the darker sides of small town life, that side of the tracks rife with disappointment, drugs and the downward spiral of mediocrity. At times, they come across as head banging renditions of Bruce Springsteen's blue-collar ethos. The last song on the forty-minute disc, "An Armenian Best," is a certain highlight, with sing-song chorus and pounding rhythm. "The Art Of Soap Opera Acting" and "The Bloated Pop Star Years" are two other wonderfully glowering tracks, notable for more than their stellar titles (the album is full of great titles, like "Bedspins Part One" and "Stand Up, State Your Name"). There are points in the mix of Everything You Thought You Knew which come across muddy, and vocals or instruments almost disappear. The momentary lapses in production are few though, and don't ultimately detract from what proves to be a dangerously catchy listen.

© 2002 - Erick Mertz