thePULSEOrange Television’s Extended Play
By Katey Khaos
It’s not uncommon for a band to find a particular genre they either enjoy playing or have a knack for and to stick with it ~ Orange Television, or OTV, as their fans know them, are the exception. Their first EP, Extended Play, is all over the place in terms of genres and sounds, but you know what? It totally works, creating one of the most well-rounded EPs I’ve heard.
That leaves me with the issue of how to somehow classify these guys. OTV classify themselves as simply rock ‘n roll. To give you a better idea of what their music sounds like ~ picture a combination of The Smashing Pumpkins and MGMT.
Extended Play begins with a track entitled “Aisha,” which can only be described as a great mix of jam and good ol’ rock ‘n roll. The song holds a familiarity that’s just out of reach, leaving the listener with the feeling of “This sounds oddly familiar, but I can’t put my finger on it.”
Another track on the EP, “Lightbulbs,” brings me back to listening to the Pumpkins’ Siamese Dream. Both the instrumentals and vocals are so melodic and smooth, making this the perfect track to turn on while hanging out at the beach or a bonfire.
For those who grew up in the 90s, this album that will bring back wonderful, nostalgic memories of your younger years ~ at least it did for me.
orangetelevision.tv, facebook.com/orangetelevision
The Villains’ Velocity
By Joshua Lyford
Have you ever seen Roadhouse? Have you ever watched Footloose? For whatever reason, movie comparisons come to mind as soon as you start listening to The Villains’ new album, Velocity, out now on Toucan Cove/Universal Music Group. It’s part gruff rock –n- roll with one foot solidly planted in the South’s blues twang ~ the kind of music that’ll making your tight Chuck Norris edition Lee jeans ready to kick some ass and take some names…and then, whaddya know, you find yourself getting a little dancey with the locals.
The thirsty folk at the fightin’ bar may not approve, but that is their loss, because the same folks who love to shred the bull at The Salty Dog will love The Villains.
The bizarre part about the band is that they take you down so many winding roads that in the end you aren’t entirely sure what you were even listening to ~ Is it U2-inspired blues? Or rock and roll that figured it would jump head-first into pop music? Is this the theme song to “Friends” with Tom Petty coming up with chord structures?
You think you might have it figured out by the third track. Trust me, you don’t; by the time the new pop-country vocal crooning kicks in over what I can only imagine are two bearded angels shredding lead in heaven, you are so confused as to the identity of this band that you don’t even know who YOU are anymore.
That’s not to say the album is bad, not by any means. It is twelve thoughtful tracks of music that doesn’t know quite what it wants to be, but whatever it is, it’s good and worth a listen…actually, worth several, so that you can really soak in all the different sounds entering your ears.
Who knows, maybe for the next album The Villains can take a cue from Jurassic Park and get a Velociraptor to sing the high-harmonies. Check them out for yourself on Facebook or at Thevillainsband.com.
Frank Palangi’s Self-Titled EP
By Katey Khaos
First off, let me say that Frank Palangi’s EP cannot and should not be judged by its cover. His charming good looks and boy-band appearance do not accurately represent the late 90s hard rock music that makes this EP so good.
Palangi has his own style ~ I definitely picked up on hints of Godsmack’s vocals and some old school Metallica. Sure, it might be a little hard to imagine in your head, but that’s all the more reason to grab this EP and give it a solid listen.
The EP kicks off with Palangi’s single “I’m Waiting.” This track showcases the wide range of musical complexity Palangi is capable of turning out. Grinding guitars and belting vocals attack your ears (in a good way!) and his lyrics dive straight into your brain. “I’m Waiting” is a wonderful first track and leaves you eager for more.
The remainder of the EP is a mix of a little bit of everything. From “Driving These Lines,” which is a super-catchy track with a punk edge, to “Love,” an intense rock ballad, Palangi’s EP brings back all the wonderful memories of growing up in the 90s…and even if you were an 80s rocker, you’ll still find a lot to like about this music.
The EP as a while does a wonderful job of showcasing Palangi’s talent as a true musician. From slow songs to catchy, rhythmical tracks, the man can do it all. Each song has strong instrumentals that are never overwhelmed by the lyrics ~ and, more importantly, they allow Palangi’s voice to shine through.
To find out more about Frank Palangi and grab his EP, be sure to check out sonicbids.com/frankpalangi and www.facebook.com/frankpalangisoloartist.
Bottlefight’s Sex, Death, and Whiskey
By Alex Kantarelis
Local rock ‘n’ roll/dirt-metal band Bottlefight have released a new EP called Sex, Death, and Whiskey. No strangers to the Worcester scene, the band has been around for more than 10 years, and consistently plays shows at all the local clubs.
The EP bursts in the same way Metallica’s Kill ‘Em All does, and automatically sets the stage for what we are about to hear. By the time the opening riff kicks in I was already in the zone for some modern 80s hair metal.
These guys know how to play their instruments. Guitarist and lead vocalist Steve Cyanide shreds solos that sound oh-so-casual yet fit in so well, while his voice sounds like a cross between Jet and Guns ‘N’ Roses. Bottlefight’s overall sound on this EP is like a mash between old Guns ‘N’ Roses, Motorhead, and Aerosmith. They never get boring with ballads, but instead keep the volume cranked and rocking for all 6 tracks. Riff after riff, the songs just keep on pumping. The 6 tracks come to an end after 20 minutes of pure rock ‘n’ roll and had me wishing for another song or 2. I guess it’s better to leave us wishing for more.
I would love for Chinese Democracy to have sounded like this, but unfortunately it sounded like… well, let’s not talk about that album because it just wasn’t good. To hear Sex, Death, and Whiskey, you can get a free download at facebook.com/bottlefight ~ and definitely check them out a show in Worcester.
