Sweet DNS

“Wild Sweet Orange” are a four-piece American indie band based in Birmingham, Alabama. They are led by frontman Preston Lovinggood (Vocals and Guitar), Taylor Shaw (Guitar), Garret Kelly (Guitar and Bass) and Chip Kilpatrick (Drums). Wild Sweet Orange were formed back in 2004 and their musical genres are a mix of indie and alternative rock. Most of the times, they are just belting out some great rock ballads.

We Have Cause To Be Uneasy is full with emotional-burning ballads and tasty vocals by Preston. Individuals who are looking forward to an album full of burning and driving ballads, they can’t afford to miss the stories told by Wild Sweet Orange in the manner of ballads.

We Have Cause To Be Uneasy drives into our thoughts with “Ten Dead Dogs”. Preston is really blessed with such beautiful voice that fits in so prefectly singing ballads like Ten Dead Dogs. This track is more of an indie pop/rock ballad. Wild Sweet Orange performed really well here, peaking at the climax and some nice backing vocals, “Ah, Ah…” at some points. Ten Dead Dogs have a steady and comfortable rhythm to it. Love it! It ends just like that…

“Tilt” is a much faster tempo track. It began with guitar pluckings, as if they’re taking little steps. As Preston sings on, it gradually got louder until the chorus which is really good, “And I fear what I’ve done, means I’ve lost what I love…” Entering the second verse, Wild Sweet Orange suddenly sound more lively, more energetic and fuller. My favourite has got to be the chorus where Preston shows the soft and the loud side of him.

“Seeing And Believing” captured a part where Preston sound a lot like Jonathan Foreman of Switchfoot. Seeing And Believing gives an impression that Wild Sweet Orange is telling us a story and asking us listeners to pay close attention. In the ending of this lovely and slow guitar-plucking tracks, Preston sounds angry, sarcastic and got louder ending this track.

“Either/Or” has some great guitar riffs going on, the beginning has it all. Throughout this track, i was just enjoying to the guitar, it’s raw, loud, energetic and catchy! The chorus is also a good listen where Preston goes, “All the things i’ve hated, i’ve been before, i’ve fallen down slowly, just to kiss the floor…” Wild Sweet Orange has made Either/Or fun and a must-listen rock ‘n’ roll track on the album.

Wow, i really like the simplicity of the guitar on “Sour Milk”. Wild Sweet Orange is on acoustic performing this track. Sour Milk can also be the introductory track to anyone getting to know Wild Sweet Orange, it just has the uniqueness of them. Accordian can also be heard on this track, maybe as an affort to replace the drums. With Preston’s friendly voice and Wild Sweet Orange’s beautiful music, Sour Milk will keep you entertained from start to finish. The accordian also contributed to Sour Milk, making it a really sweet and lovely track. Kate Taylor is also featured sharing some vocal sessions with Preston on this track.

“An Atlas To Follow” shows some strong usage of piano and banjo. It sounds very friendly especially when the banjo just comes in and joins Preston’s vocals. Additional background vocals are performed by Rebekah Fox. The beat of this song has a very happy tone to it, you’d end up smiling and feeling happy after listening to this track. And credit goes to Rebekah for the wonderful background vocals and Matt Pasons for the great playing of the Banjo, it really fits in well. At times, sounding like a country hit!

“House Of Regret” started off with some lazy guitar and bass. Upon listening to this track, it sounded like a rock ballad track. Some sounds created by synthesizers can also be heard here. The guitar on this track sounds like those played by Guns N Roses, leaving this song sounds old at times. Preston reunites with Kate Taylor again on House Of Regret and if it’s not for her, this song would have sounded lame on We Have Cause To Be Uneasy, it just doesn’t fit in. Wild Sweet Orange are trying too hard here.

“Crickets” comes in from afar at the beginning. It contains some electronic samples here. Preston goes relatively soft throughout this track, he doesn’t really raise his note to another level. In the chorus, Preston goes, “She don’t believe anything… but i’d believe anything…” And when Preston is not singing, the guitar replaces his voice with some surround-sounding guitar. The remaining one minute, you can hear Rebekah Fox doing a duet with Preston.

“Aretha’s Gold” is a slow ballad drive. Preston can be heard singing with emotions while slowly building the tempo for this track. If you pay attention, you’d find Aretha’s Gold tells the story of two young lovers. As soon as it gets louder, Preston shows us another side of his vocals, it’s not like those that we have heard before on previous tracks, with each tone and note, he’s letting you to experience his own feelings toward this song. Aretha’s Gold is a powerful and strong ballad, Wild Sweet Orange are playing to the max here.

“Night Terrors” left an impression that as if Wild Sweet Orange are performing on a live jam session. The only instrument that i hear on Night Terrors is the guitar. Most of the time, Preston and Kate Taylor are left to sing only with their voices. They make a good team together, perhaps Wild Sweet Orange might consider adding a new bandmate. Kate Taylor’s voice is just so soothing, especially the part where she howls.

Wild Sweet Orange’s We Have Cause To Be Uneasy ends with yet another beautiful ballad, “Land Of No Return”. Preston’s voice is like magic, he makes the chorus sounds so good with, “So when do you go, tell me where are you going, because there’s no place you can run to, forget all your longing…” The music playing in the background is not foregoing any chances at all, it really leaves a special mark on this lovely ballad. When the break comes, Preston again makes us fall in love with Land Of No Return, he goes, “Is it true, is it true what they say? In these woods there’s something real strange, you can walk for what seems like days… Is this the land of no returning…?” Though at times, it recalls me of Dave Matthews Band’s “Where Are You Going?” whenever Preston hits the chorus. Nonetheless, Wild Sweet Orange maanaged to end this album with an amazing track.

Rating: We Have Cause To Be Uneasy is slow and emotional. Just by listening to the songs, one would think that Wild Sweet Orange must have been around for quite a while. The songs that they write sound mature than what they currently age. With an average age of 24, they have miles to go if they keep writing such beautiful ballads. The voice of frontman Preston, is also the jewel of Wild Sweet Orange. Wish i could have a voice like his, it’s just so soothing to listen to his singing all the time. With the help of Kate Taylor, Rebekah Fox and Katie Crutchfield, We Have Cause To Be Uneasy have many notable moments to be rememberred. It may take a while for you to grow onto this album, but once you’re into it, it’s hard for you to get out of the beautiful rock ballads. I’m going to rate it 6.7 out of 10.

Stand-Out Tracks (My Picks): Ted Dead Dogs, Tilt, Seeing And Believing, Either/Or, Sour Milk, An Atlas To Follow, Crickets and Land Of No Return.

Cheers!
Darren Tan
Indiesurf.com