Plymouth's Orca are one of those bands that are quickly making a name for themselves. Having formed in 2001 and quickly gaining a good local reputation, the band have since gone on to release two recordings on the Alaska imprint, both to critical acclaim. This new EP is out on Casket Music, a step in the right direction for sure, but can the band take their local reputation onto a national scale?
Well yes and no, to sit on the fence. There's no doubting Orca's talent, and with frontman Dan Brace they have a really powerful vocalist, but their brand of music is predictable and unoriginal. Orca do it better than the vast majority of post-hardcore bands, but from the opening bass rumblings of 'Punchline', there's something extremely predictable about this record. The screams are all in the right places, the breakdowns hard and heavy, and while it sounds great it does leave you with the thought that you have heard it all before. It's a theme that runs throughout the EP; it's well produced, sounds great and the songs are pretty good too. But there's nothing that stands out and nothing new. It's a sound carved out by a myriad of other bands and Orca fit snugly into that genre - but they don't seem to want to leap out and grab you. 'Bye Bye Telephone' and 'Hopes Ever Shifting' show promise too, but ultimately are no better than most other bands out there.
Orca sound great but their unoriginality costs them a full star. If you like bands such as Days In December and The Holiday Plan, more than competent British bands who are attracting attention, then you'll really love Orca. In terms of UK post-hardcore bands they are certainly one of the better ones, but there's nothing here to grab your attention long term. The talent is clearly there but Orca must find their own niche if they intend to take things to the next level.
www.orcaband.co.uk
Paul
