The Orange Peels Square Minty Fresh, 1997 amazon

As much as i like to pride myself on being on top of the independent music scene, particularly the local Bay Area one, i have to admit i knew squat about the Orange Peels before they graced the cover of the SF Bay Guardian in 2001. The interview and description intrigued me, so i picked up their sophomore album So Far from Amoeba. By my third listen i was hooked. I quickly returned to Amoeba for more, and was rewarded with a copy of their 1997 debut Square. And today, i regard it as the finest pure pop album made since Brian Wilson was in his prime. Let me clarify that i am in no way suggesting the Orange Peels are simply a retro surf band. Their influences range from the beach to the southern jangle pop of the dB's, the Feelies, and Let's Active, to the folk pop of Love and their descendants the Pale Fountains. Square opens brightly with the straightforward crunch of "All The World Could Pass Me By", and peaks with highlights such as the wistful love song "Something Strange Happens", the jangly "She Is Like A Rose", and the somber acoustic reflection "Man And Superman". The Peels are driven by frontman Allen Clapp's uncanny ability to generate brilliant melodies and harmonies, and the lead guitar contributions and rockabilly sprinklings of former Mummies guitarist Larry Winther. Larry recently left the band, but the heroes of my new home Redwood City are pushing forward to release their third album later this spring. I have no doubt that it will be another indie pop gem.

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