When I got the The Orchid Highway based on other online reviews, I expected a pretty good CD. What I found was a potential top 10 CD. Every song on the self-titled debut rings with a classic Badfinger vibe throughout the album. The opener “Sofa Surfer Girl” is a legit killer single that recalls Beatles and Fastball with it’s hook-filled chorus and blistering guitars. “Medicine Tree” lives up to the rep the band has as the Vancouver version of Sloan, with bouncy ringing guitars, harmonies and fast-paced melody – in fact they sound better than a lot of newer Sloan material. “Let’s Stay In Instead” has a dreamy Pink Floyd playing “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” quality. “Next World” and “Ballad On Plain E” has a neo-psych flavor and reminds me of The Go’s latest CD. The retro love fest continues with a very Doors-like “Opiate.” Another great single is “Pop Tart Girl” with it’s shimmering guitars and very Rubinoos-like chorus. And the Jellyfish references won’t be missed in the closer “Legion Hall.” Overall a brilliant album that power pop fans will not want to miss. The last EP “Fourplay” is also another Beatlesque stroke of brilliance, so get that one too. Sometimes listening is believeing.
Orchid Highway Website | MySpace
Listen to “Opiate”
Listen to “Let’s Stay In Instead (acoustic version)”