Orange Island

(Triple Crown)
By Jessica Parker

Orange Island‘s self-titled second album begins with a mellow introduction, but about one minute into the song, the instruments explode and Dave Gorman assaults you with his vocals. The song’s lyrics hit intelligent emo chords, but in the best possible way. With titles “Burn Off Your Fingertips” and “Knife in Hand, Gun in Mouth,” Orange Island plays with conviction and never falter. The guitars provide the most interesting details, sometimes surprising you with what seems like a misplaced sound. But it all fits just right. Comparable to labelmates Brand New, Orange Island gets props for rocking out more feverishly. The album might seem all-over-the-place at times, but that’s the charm of it. Still a young band, their sound promises even greater efforts to come.
(331 West 57th St. #472 New York, NY 10019)