 The
Orchid Pool
"Imaginary Instruments EP" 7"
Happy
Happy Birthday To Me
Genres: indie pop, twee pop
Jan 20 - 26 2003 |
The
Imaginary Instruments EP is a neat little seven-incher that's been
released in an edition of 500 on the fantastic Happy Happy Birthday To
Me label. Each copy contains a handmade drawing by one of many
elementary and middle school students asked to draw pictures of
"imaginary instruments" (more info here).
My copy had a picture of a "GuPiano," a cross between a
guitar and a piano. The record itself is three songs long, with two
short ones on side A and one longer track on side B.
"When You Gonna See Things My Way" is an immediately
catchy pop song that has some nice piano and clarinet laid under the
vocals. Its Of Montreal-esque sound will get stuck in your head
in no time. "Sea Monkeys," which shares the side of the
record, is another wonderfully catchy tune, written by Kimberly (the
two others are credited to Tony). It has a pleasantly cheery sound,
with funny, happy lyrics about a "sea monkey ocean zoo."
On the other side is "Lullaby For DeVon Smith," a slow,
calm tune about an "impossible man [who] drives an impossible
van." It is less cheery than the other tunes, instead favouring a
calmer, sadder sound that really makes your eyes water. The cello and
xylophone (as well as the guitar strumming) work effectively in adding
a sense of magic to the song, while at the same time adding a
childlike innocence that recalls the record's concept. It's the
perfect tune for a cozy winter night, bundled up with a loved one by
the fireplace.
The band have a catchy pop sound and a fresh style - they use
unconventional instruments like the trumpet, the clarinet, the
xylophone, and the French horn on top of their simple ditties to
produce a wonderfully fun sound. Altogether, the Imaginary
Instruments EP is a great pop seven-inch with a great concept; go
out and get it before it sells out!
Fun Fact: The Orchid Pool is actually Tony and Kimberly
Paglia, a husband and wife duo from Athens, GA. You can
check out some of Kimberly's mini-comics here.
88%
Matt Shimmer [Vitals:
3 songs, distributed by the
label, released 2002] |
