Oranges & Pineapples finds
the California Oranges experimenting with punk edges and less concerned with the band's classic twee pop.
John Conley and company aren't as focused on making the most adorable sound, hence their summery name, and the crunchy licks layered throughout their second album outshine the charming bits found on their previous debut.
Conley and bass player
Verna Brock trade vocal duties, and brothers
Ross and
Matt Levine provide a tight rhythm section. The overall instrumentation on
Oranges & Pineapples is slickly arranged, nothing short of what twee pop is all about, but
the California Oranges make it better without being so sweet. Sure, the sugary moments are there on "Circle Line" and "So Many Days" and that's certainly OK. It's the merry rock & roll sounds of "Never Do That Again" and "Spacesuit" that truly make
Oranges & Pineapples more delectable. Indie pop can be exciting and
the California Oranges have found a powerful formula, sans ear-to-ear grins and handclasps.