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Runaway Orange

The Cutting Room (2003)
No Milk

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: greg0rb
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on January 9th 2004

The first impression of track one “It Can’t Be Me” seemed to be a fairly accurate one as the disc progressed. It sounds like… well, like a lot of bands doing the emo-pop thing. Midtown came to mind (and I feel like I always compare bands to them, but a lot of bands sound like them, not that they defined the sound or anything, but most people have heard them). I also say that because this singer also sounds like he has a cold, like the one guy in Midtown, but the Runaway Orange guy has a little lower voice. This first song is upbeat with a catchy chorus, over music that is not just power chords, some understated arpeggios as well. The chorus has background “doo doos” in it, which at first made me gag, but now I sing them, go figure.

Overall, the tracks on here are well written pop. The vocals are decent with some nice harmonies, but the guy’s voice and emo clichés (the pitch falling at the end of notes, etc) along with lyrics about girls and nooses don’t set him apart from the crowd. But the music behind it all is well written and solid, although nothing new. I did still find myself bobbing in my chair as I listened, especially to songs like “Maybe I’ll Figure Out” with it’s call-and-echo singing in the catchy chorus. In addition, the CD has some great production extras on it, which is good to see from a smaller label release. For example, The disc starts with a fade in and screwed up EQ and some panning, to finally slam into the first song full-bore; a nice touch. Also, a few tunes like “Say the Word” and “Change the World” have some cool synth stuff tucked nicely into the mix to add just a little extra texture and melody. And the driving “Everything Feels Right” seems to have a bit of that Cher robo-vocal effect on one of the background parts. I’m a sucker for that, and it’s just enough so that it isn’t sickening. Lastly, the art is clean looking and ties the release all together nicely with close-up pics of old movie gear.

However some tunes bring it all down, like the slow and boring “Heartache to Heartache” which reminds me of something I’d hear on the radio… if I listened to the radio… what the devil are the kids listening to these days? Oasis maybe? Take out your lighters and sway along. Also, “Nothing at All” is exactly that, a skip-able acoustic tune. And I think I heard frickin’ windchimes in it.

If Runaway Orange just cut out the filler, The Cutting Room would be one solid emo-pop record. If you still can’t get enough of this kind of stuff, here is even more.

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Anonymous (September 11, 2005)

i havent heard the record. i heard their old one that i dont remember the name of cause they gave it to me when they played a show i booked. nice bunch of guys,though i dont dig their music particularly. oh well. they gave me cokes in the park. nobody liked them at the show i booked.

Anonymous (January 15, 2004)

I feel the review it self was weak but the writer shows promise. I own "The Cutting Room" and he was able to pick up on alot of the little production secrets that took me months to pick out. I don't agree at all with most of his opinions, I feel this is a great cd. Runaway Orange have very unique and powerful vocalists (2 lead singers). The cd is abundant with beautifuly meshing harmonies and some kick ass guitar riffs. RO is definately an original band, they solo, they harmonize and know how to write a hit song in my eyes. This cd is one of my favorite releases of the year along with the new Blink, Outkast, and Brand New.

GreenVandal (January 13, 2004)

Someone review the pretty girls make graves CD. The newer one. I dont think anyone did that yet, and it fucking rips.

As does the outkast song "bombs over baghdad"

backupdork (January 13, 2004)

i didn't read this review, but the score is for the band personally.
when they played a show in Johnstown, they a.) sucked, and b.) stiffed us on their bill at Denny's afterwards.

PetroBPettson (January 11, 2004)

Hey Scott, stop giving Greg bullshit to review! And Greg, if something sucks, fucking rip it a new asshole.

greg0rb (January 10, 2004)

Mine too bud. Tell Scott to give me better stuff to review.
-Greg

Anonymous (January 9, 2004)

In mine and yours both record players...

-BSD

PetroBPettson (January 9, 2004)

If I was less lazy and more computer savy, I'd write a review for a band that's not total crap. Where's the fucking rocknroll?

Anonymous (January 9, 2004)

On this site, you're supposed to attack bands' images, you big jerk.

-BSD

greg0rb (January 9, 2004)

I received this cd solely to review it. If it had come with a bio, or if their site was not completely void of any information on the band, I would have filled you all in. But alas, I must merely describe the music...aren't reviews supposed to be about music?
-Greg

Anonymous (January 9, 2004)

Maybe if this band listened to Oasis, they would be better.

i-type-poorly (January 9, 2004)

this review is bad. theres like no introduction. It just suddenly is "this track is good this track reminds me of this. It's got kinda that kinda sound." Pretty cold empty review.

I don't know anything about this band. A little introduction would be nice.