Frontier Ruckus: The Orion Songbook- Album Review
Frontier Ruckus is a Michigan-based band that has recently released its new album The Orion Songbook.The group blends folk, country, and roots Americana with indie rock influences to create a sound like few others. Using non-traditional indie rock instruments, like banjo, accordion, and fiddle, they create the feel of a twanged-up Arcade Fire or Ra Ra Riot.
The musicianship on the album is nearly flawless. There are a virtual plethora of instruments utilized, all to stunning effect. The male/female vocal interactions and harmonies provide great depth to the songs.
Where I find The Orion Songbook drags is it's overwhelming depressiveness. Few tracks can in any way be described as "uptempo" and very few demonstrate the pop sensibility that underlies either Arcade Fire or Ra Ra Riot. The best tracks on the album, such as "Mount Marcy", are the ones where the band shows the most energy.
For musicians who can play their instruments, you couldn't ask for much more than Frontier Ruckus. However, The Orion Songbook could do well with a greater infusion of energy.
Best tracks: "Mount Marcy", "Adirondack Amish Holler"
Track listing for The Orion Songbook:
- Animals Need Animals
- The Latter Days
- What You Are
- Dark Autumn Hour
- Mount Marcy
- The Blood
- Bethlehem
- Foggy Lilac Window
- Orion Town 2
- The Backlot-World
- Rosemount
- Orion Town 3
- Adirondack Amish Holler
- The Deep-Yard Dream
6.0
Comments (1)
Oh, wow! I haven't a clue how I missed this release, I'm a big fan of "I Am The Water You Are Pumping". The article was well written, thanks for your insight. I'm off to check this out immediately, I've got it on order from amazon but for now I've got the waffles cookin'. Oh, and if you're into michigan music I wrote an article about matt jones the other day. Thanks again, man.
- Tom