Continuing with my 1960s American rock streak, this album is another one I saw under my suggestions on Apple Music while listening to another album recently, though I can’t remember what I was listening to at the time. This album artwork seemed pretty cool, plus I dig the somewhat mythological origins of the band name, so I figured I’d add this one to my queue. I can’t exactly find a whole lot of information on the band with a google search, other than that the band was from Massachusetts and that they had a couple songs that charted on the Hot 100 in the U.S., one of which was on this particular album. I’m pretty stoked to listen to this one, so I’m going to go ahead and jump on into the music.
“I’ve Never Seen Love Like This” starts out with a really personal and close sound from the vocals and the touching guitar chords in the intro. Oh wow, the main chorus has a really touchingly orchestrated sound, complete with some strings and dream-like instrumentation from the band. Definitely a nice quick-paced intro to the album that sets the tone for what might be in store.
“Lesley’s World” has a really big sound in the intro from the orchestral string part. I’m reminded of The Peppermint Rainbow a fair deal with the really cheery movements within the song. Definitely a nice little tune, and I really dig the harpsichord in it.
“Music Machine” continues with that dream-like tone that the band gets going in the first track. Oh wow, this one sounds super interesting with the combination of the harps and the way tension builds throughout the song. Oh wow, the guitar gets super tasty when it comes in with somewhat of a bluesy garage rock type of sound. The brass instruments really add to the orchestral sound a lot in this one. It’s like some sort of sunshine pop orchestral tune to a certain degree. Definitely really interesting.
“Congress Alley” takes a bit more of a cheery garage rock sound in this one. I really dig the percussion in this one; the drums really get the tune grooving while the shaking tambourine (or something similar to shake) provides a nice jangling sound as the band plays this tasty tune.
“I’ll Stay With You” sounds super interesting, and reminds me a ton of a song by The Explorer’s Club in many facets such as instrumentation and even the melodies played by the different instruments and vocals. The jangling chords of the acoustic guitar really provide a nice frame that even serves a rhythmic purpose in conjunction with the drums. Definitely a groovy tune.
“I Can’t Find the Time to Tell You” is one of the tunes from Orpheus that charted on the Hot 100. Wow, the bass guitar has a really sweet bass line that even produces a little grit in the mix solely because of how groovy it sounded in the intro. Wow, the combination of the congas and the jangliness of the acoustic guitar and other percussion instruments really provide a great earthy element to the song, while the strings and horns really give the song a nice polished orchestral feel to it. Meanwhile the vocals seem to hum along, almost lost in a sort of dream land that the harp produces. Definitely a nice tune.
“The Door Knob” has the feeling like waking out of a strange dream in the middle of a field that you don’t know how you came to be in. The strings in this one provide a sort of feeling like nature is whirring around you as you try to gather your bearings. The piano and harp almost sound like the discovery of a waterfall as you walk near the forest surrounding the musical field you woke up in. The acoustic guitar frames the song very well with the jangling strumming that gallops you along as the vocals sort of guide you through the soundscape. Definitely an incredibly interesting tune.
“Never in My Life” has an almost bluesy parlor waltz shuffle to it – and is incredibly interesting. The orchestral instruments almost make it sound like you’re in some sort of psychedelic carnival. Oh wow, the sitar comes in out of nowhere. I’m hooked on this one. Oh wow, the chaotic psychedelic carnivalesque crescendo that the music comes to at the end is awesome.
“The Dream” takes an incredibly different approach at the start of this one, with a very deep, solemn, acoustic feeling to it with the combination of the low acoustic guitar and the deep, nearly melancholy sound in the vocals. Oh wow, the percussion definitely has a bit of a raga element to it, as does much of the song instrumentation and melodic approach with the strange combination of a sitar and a harp. This song is pretty sweet. It’s like an ever-waking sound from a dream you are bound to for all time – incredibly interesting. This song has left me wanting to check out a lot more of Orpheus. Really groovy way to end this album.
Wow, this album is super interesting. I might even try to pick it up on vinyl. It ranges from super bright, nearly orchestral sunshine pop, to straight up raga influenced psychedelia. If you’re interested in interesting psychedelic-influenced music with a good amount of range from the late 60s, this album might be one for you to consider, especially at around 27 minutes long. If you do decide to give this one a listen, I do sincerely hope that you enjoy the listening experience at least as much as I did.
-A