Song of the Day: The Orange Humble Band - If That's What You Want

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, is “If That's What You Want” by The Orange Humble Band from their 2015 album, Depressing Beauty, on Citadel Records.

The Orange Humble Band - If That's What You Want (MP3)

The Orange Humble Band is well acquainted with new beginnings. Following the demise of his acclaimed Aussie group Someloves, Darryl Mather helped form The Orange Humble Band in 1994. Soon after they released Assorted Creams, which would later be hailed as the 8th best power pop album of all time by power pop writer John Borack in his book "Shake Some Action." The record solidified The Orange Humble Band with the likes of Cheap Trick and Big Star, and gave the low-key super group (Ken Stringfellow of The Posies and Big Star drummer Jody Stephens contributed heavily while REM collaborator Mitch Easter co-produced) an identity all their own. But after a sophomore album 2 years later, the band disbanded. Luckily 2015 brought another new beginning as the group reconnected in the form of their release Depressing Beauty. The record finds the band picking up where they left off, and is packed full of pleasant melodies, warm energy and a certain sonic wrinkle that's reminiscent of the greatest of the 60's. Album cut and song of the day "If That's What You Want" may mark the album's halfway point, but it is a great place to start, as it recalls the sound Assorted Creams used to such great success 20 years prior while also showing how the group has progressed. The track features interplaying guitar riffs that seem to play and converse with each other, and some subtle yet punchy horns that give the song an extra kick. In classic power pop fashion, the track would serve as a great song to close out a stadium show. It possesses the energy a large arena encore demands, but also a melodic sentimentality perfect for goodbyes. "If That's What You Want" is an excellent reminder that Depressing Beauty and the groups latest new beginning was well worth the wait.

The Orange Humble Band has no current tour dates, but keep an eye on their Facebook for any possible tour updates. In the meantime, check out "You Close Your Eyes", another song from Depressing Beauty: