How many modern-day
prog bands can say that pianist
Julee Cruise and
Kate Pierson of
the B-52's have appeared on their albums? Not many -- but
Time of Orchids is not your average, ordinary band. Hailing from New York, this four piece hasn't been afraid to challenge listeners thus far, so why stop a good thing with their sixth release overall, 2007's
Namesake Caution? Once more, you get a potpourri of jaggedly disjointed tunes that may prove to be too hard to digest for some, but isn't that the whole point? Standouts include the
Syd Barrett-era
Pink Floyd sounds of
"In Color Captivating," the vintage
Shudder to Think-esque
"Windswept Spectacle," as well as
jazz-
prog that bears more than a passing resemblance to early-'70s
Frank Zappa on
"Gem." With most
prog-y bands of the early 21st century going the
metal route,
Time of Orchids is one of the few bands that specializes in "tricky bits" while not forfeiting melody/harmony, and not relying on distortion pedals and detours into
Slayer territory. ~ Greg Prato
