The Orgone Box
From page 79 of Classic Rock Magazine July 2001
'The Orgone Box'
(Minus Zero MZR-05)
Released, briefly, once in Japan in 1996, 'The Orgone Box' finally gets its UK debut five years after the event and, satisfyingly, isn't found wanting. Though hardly likely to sound dated in that time (most of it's splendid reference points are pretty much 60s psychedelic pop anyway), it remains a sun filled charmer indebted mostly to 'Revolver' era Beatles and XTC at their most profoundly whimsical.
Mostly the work of one man, Rick Corcoran, The Orgone Box were the natural extension of the much vaunted and equally short lived Orange band. They managed one critically acclaimed EP (the sparkling 'Judy Over The Rainbow') and then raised quizzical eyebrows everywhere by calling it quits. Corcoran soldiered quietly on, finally piecing this satisfyingly vibrant collection together.
At turns, buoyed and full of colour ('Ticket With No Return', 'Bubble') at others reflective and downbeat. The gratingly chummy, 'There'll Always Be Attitudes' brings things to a momentary halt, but overall this is a quietly rendered rare gem of a record.
To order, go to www.minuszerorecords.com Philip Wilding *****


