Opening with the breezy and summery Bright Idea, Orson's title track promises upbeat pop for the masses, and adolescents in particular - with numerous mentions of year books, raves, being in love, loud music, Redbull, and so on. And while there is nothing wrong with that, it is worth bearing in mind that the vast majority of the band is much older than their target audience.
Orson have successfully mastered 3-minute pop tunes within the basic two guitars, bass and drums combo. While this formula is employed relatively effectively throughout the album, the vocals lack consistency; lead vocalist Jason Pebworth haphazardly emulates everyone from the RHCPs (No Tomorrow) to Marvin Gaye's Ecology phase (Happiness), with undertones of Feeder (Already Over) and overtones of George Michael (Last Night).So while the Californian quintet is intent on bringing out the big guns, the overall effect is inoffensive emo nonsense which, for the most part, lacks innovation, style or lyrical originality. This is a band that knows their audience and goes for their jugular via sponge soft rock. Due to the lack of depth or imagination, Orson's album is as disposable as your holiday wardrobe from Penneys - light, slight and lacking insight. The lads could support Coldplay without ruffling feathers but the likes of the Arctic Monkeys would kick their collective asses. Basically Orson are the latest in a long line of Maroon 5s and Keanes, cheerfully anaemic and entirely unessential