Orillia Opry

Lighthouse For Stragglers' Eyes

BY Scott A. GrayPublished Oct 30, 2007

Immediately recalling Australia’s Powderfinger, with the everyman acoustic folk pop of "Shadow Shadow,” Orillia Opry demonstrate a penchant for dragging out to six minutes what could be accomplished in three. Daniel Noble’s plaintive vocals are tenderly touching, especially when harmonising with band-mate Emma Baxter, but are seldom used as much more than a hypnotic beacon in a fog of repetitive acoustic strumming. There isn’t a whole lot setting these tracks apart, or enough of a musical or lyrical theme to make the album interesting as a body of work. Guest spots on electric guitar and piano are subdued and always mixed behind the ever-present acoustic guitar, negating the potential for the alternate instrumentation to have any impact. If you’re in the mood for some comfortable background music to nap to, Lighthouse for Straggler’s Eyes is the album you’ve been waiting for, otherwise save your cash for Plants and Animals’ far superior With/Avec EP.
(Ships at Night)

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