The Greatest Hit (Money Mountain) by Blue Orchids
Release date: January 12, 2024Label: Tiny Global Productions
The search for new musical discoveries is a never-ending hobby. No matter how much you think you are keeping up, there always seems to be exceptions that escaped your attention through the years. And no doubt there are many current artists who will come to my attention and listening pleasure in a decade’s time or so (apologies to these artists, whoever you are). In the case of Blue Orchids, their discovery is thanks to this reviewer hearing a song from their most recent release – 2023’s Magpie Heights – on the excellent Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio Show hosted by Wallace Dobbins on the essential Louder Than War Radio (Btw fellow Echoes and Dust writer Chris Ball also has his own show on LTW) where old and new discoveries are being made virtually every listen.
2023 marked a creatively productive year for Martin Bramah, as in parallel to Blue Orchids he released and toured with the House of All – made up of former Fall members – and their well-received debut release. Now comes the opportunity to check out where it all started for the guitarist/vocalist after he left the early line-up of The Fall with the reissue of Blue Orchid’s debut album. Originally released in 1982 on the Rough Trade label, this reissue sees the light of day on Tiny Globe Productions. This record should appeal to fans of formative era R.E.M., early Talking Heads, Television, The Triffids, and, unsurprisingly, The Fall.
Although the Blue Orchids are a lighter touch in comparison to the more abrasive (and unforgettable) Mark E Smith leading from the front. If early Fall captured the sound of industrial estates and inner northern cities, Blue Orchids are the sound of catching the bus out of town. This is largely due to Una Baines superb keyboards, which provide many of the songs tuneful sunnier melodies. They bring bright colours, rays of sunshine, and psych flourishes to this Indie assemble palette on ‘Sun Connection’, and with the galloping ‘Dumb Magician’, to name only two songs.
However, every band member has their moments, as well as they all contribute collectively to an album that contains many seductive melodies. Whether it’s the bassline intro for ‘A Year With No Head’, the Richard Lloyd/Tom Verlaine’s Television recalling guitar riff in ‘Hanging Man’, are just two examples among many. They all sound like they had licence to express their musical selves while all members still serve the songs. And when Una’s keys and Martin’s guitar inter-wine altogether on ‘Hanging Man’ it makes for arguably the album’s standout moment.
The only slight snag that may repel some from embracing the album fully into their hearts is Martin Bramah’s vocals occasionally sounds off key. But, it can be argued fans of alternative music have more flexibility when it comes to the idiosyncratic charms of a vocalist’s imperfections. For this reviewer, it only adds to the album’s charms. It also works well with lyrical lines like the description of being on the dole in the early 1980s, ‘spend all my spare time on my back, lying around, never getting anything done’.
As with most reissues it comes with some additional stuff in the form of demo tracks and live recordings. The studio album remains the main draw, but the best of the extras are the six recorded live tracks. This is where the band’s first two excellent singles ‘Work’ and ‘Motorway’ are represented along with four from the bespoke debut. They all zip along with tremendous energy and youthful spirit.
The Greatest Hit (Money Mountain) reissue is a timely reminder of the creative well that lurks in indie rock’s formative years.
