Wild Orchid Children – The Wild Orchid Children Are Alexander Supertramp – Review

Release Date: November 9th, 2010
Record Label: Equal Vision Records
Genre: Soul Punk

Several words come to mind when I encountered Wild Orchid Children for the first time. Earthy, rustic, and quixotic to name a few. It may have something to do with the “Gonzo Soul” genre tag the band has given themselves, or the strong indie presence of their live shows — or even the fact that their new album modestly titled “The Wild Orchid Children Are Alexander Supertramp,” has some of the most enigmatic song titles and lyrics known to rock-kind (ie. Gasoline Rainbows (Jesus is a Black Man)). And even if these six guys from Seatle, who recently signed with indie label Equal Vision Records, don’t always find the most accepting crowds ::cough:: Vancouver, they atleast know how to stir up interest in their likeably unconventional, albeit hipster, music.

Odd to me about this record though is the way it seems to deflate, just as it sets the perfect anticipation. For instance you have the albums opener “We Are Alexander Supertramp” which has Kirk Huffman vocally setting the stage with soul-heavy hype — just to have the next track be one of the longest and slower building songs on the record. It’s like you get all psyched to listen to a firecracker track and they sit you down to listen to a lumbering opus of experimental percussion, keys, and effects. Another oddity is that Wild Orchid Children has such a unique sound, almost a soul-jam punk. A genre that would thrive nicely on grooving vocals that flow well with their tribal theme. Instead though, you have Kirk barking shouts akin to Zach De La Rocha (Rage Against The Machine) or Mike D (Beastie Boys), with the latter’s sampled beats replaced by hallucinogenic Deep Purple-esque stabs of creativity.

“The Wild Orchid Children Are Alexander Supertramp” is a rushing and sporadic release, with everything from background organs, to soapbox shouts, Fall Of Troy riffs (Lasers In The Jungle), and an endless list of included instruments — something an experimental punk fan would instantly latch on to. Those who enjoy efforts with a focused direction however will find its, consistently shrill shouts and low attention span, too busy to listen to more then once or twice. I am honestly a much bigger fan of Huffman’s other indie band Gatsbys American Dream, more so than his new found love of psychedelic punk; even if Wild Orchid Children offers a myriad of soul-driven musical possibilities. Sometimes when you make music that is too busy (and even annoying at times ie Kirk), we get disconnected to it. And after all of this peyote, I’m burnt out. ~Staff

Score: 2.5/5

Track Listing:
1. We Are Alexander Supertramp
2. Black Shiny FBI Shoes
3. Gasoline Rainbows (Jesus is a Black Man)
4. Peyote Coyote
5. Ahead of Us the Secret
6. Lasers in the Jungle
7. Birth of a Cabin
8. Martha Washington Goes to War
9. Where the Mexican Boys Go
10. Tree of Knowledge