Orange

Orange: Welcome to the World Of...Welcome to the World Of... (2005)
Hellcat Records

Reviewer Rating: 1.5

User Rating:

Contributed by: Matt_WhelihanMatt Whelihan
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on September 27th 2005Plenty of teenagers have started bands. Some have never made it past a basement practice, let alone a first gig. Still others have left behind some valuable pieces of music that have stood the test of time. Think about how young the members of Minor Threat or Operation Ivy were, and yet we still pla.

Plenty of teenagers have started bands. Some have never made it past a basement practice, let alone a first gig. Still others have left behind some valuable pieces of music that have stood the test of time. Think about how young the members of Minor Threat or Operation Ivy were, and yet we still play those albums today. Let's not kid ourselves though; bands that strike a chord that is that big and resonates for this long at such a young age are few and far between. So while Orange may be the envy of all their peers for gaining access to Tim Armstrong's fold, they have not produced a rare underage gem.

On Welcome to the World Of…, Orange have taken a paint-by-numbers approach to their pop-punk sound. They are simply content to use the colors asked for, stay within the lines, and hang up the finished product in a shiny new frame. The production is slick, the songwriting is formulaic, and unfortunately, those are the album's good points. Otherwise Orange have a lot work to do.

The band's sound is typical pop-punk that utilizes rehashed chord progressions, typical verse/chorus structures, and a soft to loud dynamic that is all too predictable. Orange do have a bag of tricks, but it isn't very deep, and they end up using the same ones over and over. For example, just check out how on the final chorus of most songs, a guitar lead suddenly kicks in, or how nearly every riff on the album sounds like someone merely sliding up and down on one string. The two hidden tracks seem to be the only place the band changes up their tone, and those tracks (one has diabolic laughter and crunchy metal chords, while the other is merely an acoustic version of a song from the album) seem to fare just as poorly.

Because the songs are power pop-punk in the vein of the Matches and polished by the production 'till they're blind, the vocals need to serve as the driving force here, and unfortunately, they don't. Instead, singer Joe Denman's voice is frail and unconvincing. His "snarl" sounds like it is coming from the confines of a comfortable studio, not the heart, and his lyrics do nothing to aid his weak delivery. Whether it is a Kelly Osbourne-like rant of "The sky is blue / the grass is green / blah blah blah / you know what I mean," the downright embarrassing "From the E to the O to the stereo / pimpin' on the mic like a 12 dollar hoe / we're dressed, ready to rock at the sound of a clock," or the struggling-to-be punk cry of, "Get lost / I don't want to see you again / cus you were never my friend / fuck off and die / you motherfucking piece of shit," Denman comes up short.

Yeah, they are young and still have plenty of time to develop, but often a band's most fiery output comes early in their career. Instead, Orange seem all too willing to embrace a smooth and safe sound that is surprisingly angst free.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

kram1234 (September 10, 2009)

im beginning to think the anon comments are the band themselves.
anyone who compares osker to orange should die.

Anonymous (April 15, 2007)

damn. is this Matt Whelihan cat jealous much? i mean most of his points are completely fabricated. the thing about orange is they are an actual band. when you go to see em play live its not just a concert, its a show. they arent looking like your dad wearing dickies shorts and a DI t-shirt.

Anonymous (October 24, 2006)

I saw this band at fiendfest. nice dudes good energy and a love for what they do.
this reviwe was shit.

Anonymous (February 19, 2006)

In agreement with the comment posted 2006-01-27, it's not what you know it's who you know. Shame on you Hellcat, bring us some real talent not a spoilt L.A brat who's Ma or Pa you just might happen to know.

Mr_X (January 27, 2006)

I want to say that they are alright. There are many bands id rather listen to, but about 3 songs are alright. i saw this for 58 cents on amazon so i got it. i kinda expected more....i dont know, early british punk sound based on the cover. But now that ive heard it, agree, it seems overproduced. But to the dipshits who talk about how ugly they are, jesus tapdancing christ your stupid. look at the Ramones. Especially joey. I mean, those guys are awsome, but Joey was one ugly mother fucker. also, who ever said "mo fo" shut up and go away. Dont censor yourself on a punk chat. And about how they dress, if you remember, the pistols dressed shitty. dress was never really important to making good punk rock. imean, this isnt necisarily good punk rock, its just passable. mostly i agree with the reveiw, but anyway, its worth getting for the 3 songs if you find it really cheap used. it shouldnt be difficult

Anonymous (January 25, 2006)

How did they get signed?????? I especially find it funny that they seem to go through great lengths to leave out the fact that Joe has a semi-famous father, Paul Denman. Did you know that Joe also played on a Sweetback album only because his dad hooked him up (Sweetback is Sade w/o the singer Sade). But he wouldn't dare brag on that to his punk rock fans. He wants us to be dumb in thinking that this whole "Orange" idea was some DIY project in his garage. I'll go even further and add that because Joe is a high school drop out it seems more dire that his parents have him involved in something because truly his future is quite limited. I mean honestly, if it doesn't work then what day job would he be able to secure????????? Maybe is dad will buy his way into college by making a big contrubution. Oh, yeah, I'm the one who wrote the previous e-mail solving the "mystery" of Orange being signed. I wasn't quite finished, it seems, squashing the remnants of their self-esteem!

Anonymous (January 25, 2006)

I have the answer to the million $ question. How did these guys get signed??? Well, it seems that the lead singer, Joe, is son to one Mr. Paul Spencer Denman. Who is he???? He's the bassist for Sade, of course. So what young Joe and his "mates" couldn't achieve by sheer talent, they achieved by Daddy's connections to the industry. It also helps too if your mom runs a sheeshy boutique in L.A. called Godess that serves talentless tramps like Pamela Anderson. Joe's entire family flirts with the industry so, no doubt, they would have their friends hook them up. You've heard it before, it's all in who you know and apparently they knew who to speak to at Hellcat

Anonymous (January 11, 2006)

fuck in hell please dont think that his accent is what everyone sounds like in england cos we rele dont

Anonymous (December 30, 2005)

How the hell did these kids get signed ?? HELLCAT IF YOU HAVE ANY SENSE CUT THESE POOR LITTLE FUCKERS LOOSE.

Anonymous (December 29, 2005)

I know this question has been asked numerous times on this page, but seriously- HOW THE FUCK DID THESE GUYS GET SIGNED? I want an answer now. thanks.

Anonymous (December 16, 2005)

ok, first of all, its a pretty good album. hills of hollywood and a few other tracks provide some potential for this band. everyone who i have showed this cd to loves it. and for those of you who wont buy the cd or listen to it because you looked at the back of the cover and saw there picture need to shut the fuck up. you obviously dont know a damn thing about music if you are that quick to judge a band by the picture.

Anonymous (December 9, 2005)

Jesus fuckin' christ that's the biggest moose I ever seen! git mah gun!!!

Anonymous (November 22, 2005)

I was kind of anticipating this record, because the that song of theirs off of Give 'Em the Boot 4 was actually quite good. But the rest of the record is a bit boring. If you want Orange at their best, just listen to "No Rest For the Weekend".

That's one point for the record, and seven for that one song.

Anonymous (November 1, 2005)

this band is beyond terrible, theyre painfully generic and Its mind bogling that they got picked up by a label...
but hey tim armstrong is the genius not me, Iam sure it will turn out to be a wise investment and they'll be selling millions

..sike!

Anonymous (October 27, 2005)

i think that this is a really good cd made by a really great band! just because they are young doesnt mean that they cant play! they kick ass and i would recommend the cd to everyone!

Anonymous (October 27, 2005)

i think that this is a really good cd made by a really great band! just because they are young doesnt mean that they cant play! they kick ass and i would recommend the cd to everyone!

hein (October 24, 2005)

It's weird... I don't really get what all the negativism is about here. But maybe when I say I pretty much liked the F-Ups as well, most of you here will understand that I thought this music was pretty OK. As with the F-Ups review I notice that you kids still care a lot about how people look and what they wear. Well... I remember some 20 years ago when I was 16 I wore the stupidest things as well. These guys are teenagers, and I'm sure if they look at the backside of their album 10 years furtheron they also will think they look ridiculous. For now, if they like to wear these clothes I'd say "let them". This music might not be the best I've heard, but it sure as hell beats a lot of the whining emo and sophisticated song arrangements that I keep getting in my mailbox. To me, this simple gritty pop-punk sometimes comes as a welcome relieve. Maybe it's because I'm the same age as Tim Armstrong, or maybe I'm just not made for reviewing music for the real punks, but I listened all through this album which I can't say for a lot of albums lately. I just have the feeling that I'm losing track with a lot of the visitors of this site. I'll probably lose all my credits when I tell you I'm not too much into the new Propagandhi album either.

Anonymous (October 17, 2005)

Saw Orange at the Misfits show in O.C...........Bought the T shirt, bought the album. Fan for life

Anonymous (October 16, 2005)

this review describes this band completly and instead of trying to become the biggest band and conform to the hip music they should try to make something that will stand out and have people remember it as something that was good, not something that was big

Anonymous (October 13, 2005)

this is not my favourite record but Orange are deffinatley one of the best live acts around right now. its a shame that this extremly harsh review was written by someone not having the privilege to witness the energy and excitment Orange convey on stage.

Anonymous (October 12, 2005)

I just saw this band live tonite at the Key Club and they were fucking AWESOME.

Any one who dosnt think they are amazing is fucking retarded

Anonymous (October 6, 2005)

Unbelievable, to me anyways, that this album got such a low score.I bought it and was prepared to laugh......... .but it blew me away. Great songs and great playing.

Yes they have a long way to go, but dont be surprised if this band blow up big. Their is a lot of talent here.

Anonymous (October 5, 2005)

I love Orange

Anonymous (October 4, 2005)

Haha, oh my this review is funny. I love reviews because NO ONE CARES what reviews like that douche has to say cus its his lame ass opion! cant get enough of em. IF anything u need a review urself. So here it is...

You cant do your job right, the singer is british, They are the future. When this band sells a million who will be laughing then?

IM NOT ONE TO make fun of other people. But honesly that was just such a petty review.

Orange are amazing. Young and a total inspiration to the world. Joe is an amazing song writter and it can only get better. What were you doing at 17 that was so speacial? ... exactly. Well Orange are working their ass's off and living the dream. i say good on em and good luck. They deserve it and they will ride the snake to success. Orange and hellcat 4 life. Tim is a smart man.

Anonymous (October 3, 2005)

funny how although this band is apparently "the worst on hellcat", they hold everyones attention in the palms of thier young hands.

funny how the pistols were despised by almost all of Britian and yet had a number one single.

quite ironic.

and whoever wrote this review obviously has a personal agenda towards orange because most of the stuff said here is 100 percent bullshit.

fuck reviews, go listen to the songs for yourself.

Anonymous (October 3, 2005)

yeah, this is real shitty, but i must say, the singer has a strong sounding voice. i didnt think he was 16 when i heard it

Anonymous (October 2, 2005)

Im sorry but this review is extreamly harsh. its well written and has some relevent points but calling the singers voice "frail" is crazy. it sounds to me like the reviewer just set out to not like this band.

Anonymous (October 2, 2005)

I like it, I dont like it, I like it, I dont like it,I like it !!. Kind of left me feeling like that.Its too "Old School" but its "New School" too. Somthing just keeps making me play it!!!

Anonymous (October 1, 2005)

Very impressed. Definatly one of the better pop/punk bands.

Anonymous (September 30, 2005)

I saw this band at ther C.D. release show.I bought the C.D. that night and have been playing it ever since

Anonymous (September 30, 2005)

ha ha you were the guy fighting with me about my haiku or some shit on the suburban legends review and now you like pulley ha ha that is just silly

Anonymous (September 30, 2005)

Hhmmmmmmmmm. Well I dont know them but Iike their C.D.!

Anonymous (September 30, 2005)

i went to school with some of these kids, and I am 99% sure that the positive comments are done by one of them.

Anonymous (September 30, 2005)

well i pretty much think these kids could can play their instruments better than most on this board, but they do suck. they are 16, whatever. most 16 year olds like shitty music anyways.

AlmostPunkEnough (September 30, 2005)

well, maybe he's been drinking again...

i hope so, maybe he'll make good mucis again. not taht i want him to be 'unhealthy' ot whatever... but you get the point.

PULLEY OWNS....

amen. and Motion City Soundtrack really isn't bad. sure the keyboards seem lame and happy, but the lyrics are pretty good, and the write a damn catchy song.

Pulley is probably the most underrated band on Epitaph.

Anonymous (September 30, 2005)

PULLEY OWNS....
Motion shitty soundtrack nuff said

roxygrl (September 29, 2005)

I love this album!. It dosnt deserve such a crappy review. It has a positive message for anyone who wants to hear it.

"When life gives you shit make a garden out of it"

"Credit cards, expensive cars, beggars in the street.
Glitter painted with some pain from your plastic surgery"

I love those lines. They are kind of serious and sad but he makes it seem funny. The singer has a kind of strange take on life, I agree with the guy/girl who said the reviewer didnt get it. Its a great album