Reviews

Adrian Orange

Bitches Is Lord

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Review Date: 2006-10-30

That Adrian Orange (you might know him better as Thanksgiving) sums up his genre in iTunes as "Bob Costas level mad flava groove" is a hint of things to come; that his album is called Bitches is Lord is a rather overpowering sign. I'll break the suspense now: you are going to hear a Bright Eyes comparison if you take a chance to listen to Bitches is Lord. The style, many of the lyrics and even often the mood of the album is reminiscent of everyone's favourite indie tearjerker. But , my friends, that is why we don't write reviews on first listen; more often than not, it can be very misleading.

What I know now that I didn't then is that Adrian Orange has a certain levity to his music that sets it apart from Mr. Oberst. Had a great day at work? You aren't about to rush home and play I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning. You just aren't; it can -- and will -- be a buzzkill. You might, however, fire on Bitches is Lord. That, y'all, is the difference. Don't be mistaken; it might seem miniscule, but it is far from it.

The title is a microcosm of all that is so great about this record. That a guy as bright as Orange (no pun intended) uses brutal grammar in the title is not by accident. It is an amusing play on the many guys who live their lives with this foolish mentality. "I've told you all so many times that you don't know anything/And I've told you all just as many times that I don't know nothing either," "I don't know who to believe but I understand that we have no understanding" and lastly "Baby let's stop lying, let's stand up and save the world or at least push our luck" are just a few of the best lyrics on the title track.

"Blushing" is a spirited indie-folk tune that lasts just a dash over two minutes of non-stop infatuation, and of course continued high-level lyricism. I've neglected to mention that Orange ain't bad on his guitar either.

I have been feeling a particular affinity lately with "You're Free." I made the connection about two weeks ago, as my position at the bank was winding down and I was becoming frustrated with the mundane duties I was assigned. This song can be depressing if life isn't going your way. But if you take it the way it is intended then by the time it wraps up it can be borderline inspirational as he asks you the vital question "Did you do what you wanted to or what you didn't want to?" That's a question I really needed to spend some time contemplating myself around the time Adrian Orange's promo hit the mailslot.

Music like the fifteen tracks given to us by Adrian Orange can be a truth serum for your soul. The questions Orange poses and the topics of his songs relate to me and every one of you. He does it without catering to the lowest common denominator and while always singing about love. This is fifteen songs and fifteen stories, many of which you are going to want to hear over and over again. I know these lyrics inspired me; they might not you, but I am going to leave you with them anyway:

"To all of you people who speak English like me/and to all of you other people will someone translate please/You can do whatever you want and fuck what everybody says/I would like to encourage with this question/Did you do what you wanted to or what you didn't want to/Because that's all that matters at the end of the day/So look deep in your heart for an answer/And if it's not the right answer, you might as well change."

Score: 8

- Dan