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Orgy doesn't live up to their pastOrgy
TWO AND A HALF STARS Orgy deserves credit for creating alternate universes for listeners. Their follow-up to the 1997 multi-platinum debut album Candyass, is full of rich and provocative imagery. The band has done a lot since their birth to dress up rock 'n' roll, "painted in chrome Max Factor," as frontman Jay Gordon sings. Apart from the unending revenue the guys provide Revlon and Cover Girl, numbers that would send Christie Brinkley to Weight Watchers, the glamour quickly fades. Orgy's Vapor Transmission never arrives at the hyped level of "the album for the 30th century." For the most part, the album is too caught up with using a metaphor for every lyric (decoder ring not included). And although no New Order covers are present, many themes and lyrics seem to be borrowed. Such tracks as "Eyes-Radio-Lies" and "Opticon" echo an Orwellian future where machines take over. This is a great concept and vivid image, but I think I heard it before under the alias of Rush 2112. Orgy continues to sound like a deeper-darker version of Depeche Mode. This is inherent on the first single, "Fiction (Dreams in Digital)." It is probably the best track on the album, offering a catchy intro and a sound more like rock and less like trademark synth pop. Orgy also comes back to earth long enough to pay tribute to producer Josh Abraham's late mother with the song "Eva." A mellow counterpart of the album that succeeds in displaying the band's unexposed melodic skill. Though there are some entertaining and distinctive moments, Vapor Transmission tends to sound a lot like many lyrical triumphs of the past, but without the triumph. —Christopher Flood |
