Some bands don’t do very well in translating their live show energy to a recording, but Orange Avenue isn’t one of those bands. The Indie band’s latest release, Small Victories, is an adrenaline packed journey for the listener, chalk full of extremely catchy, radio ready songs.
The band’s Rock/Pop/Alternative sound is not designed for passive listening; it’s the kind of music that commands attention. There is so much going on in each song from the soaring, swirling keyboards, to the hell-bent drums and strong grooving bass line, to the searing guitars, all topped off by frontman Derek Anderson’s wide-ranging vocals.
The CD opens with the up-tempo “Nightwalk.” The song is brimming with varied electronic sounds coiling and whirling through as Anderson sings “We know what we want and we know just how to get it.” The first single, “Wondergirl,” really exhibits the band’s solid guitar artistry. “Static” has an edgier sound, while “As I Fall” shows a slightly mellower side to the band’s music as Anderson’s vocals soar.
Songs don’t get much catchier than “Just Refrain,” a song from their previously released EP Reset. “Lay Down Yourself,” “Here Tonight (Glory Us),” and “Take Your Love” all showcase the variety of electronic sounds the band flawlessly blends into their music. The lyrics in “Fortune Teller” are about the kind of news you don’t want to hear from that source “Are you ready for the worst days of your life you’ve ever known.”
In “Breathe,” the whispered lyric “breathe” enforces the notion of “Letting it go.” The CD closes with “Agent,” a song that features a mixture of varied musical sounds blended together.
With 13 songs, Small Victories is a treat for fans of the band and the quality of the Indie band’s music will certainly earn them many more fans with its release.
Just in case anyone needs even more incentive to purchase the CD, Orange Avenue will be donating a portion of the proceeds of every album sold to CureSearch, a nonprofit organization that supports children’s cancer research.
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