Description
The self-titled major label debut album by the American synth-pop band Painted Orange was released on StarSong Records in 1991. (The band had previously self-released a cassette.) The album was produced by Otto M (a.k.a. Mark McCurdy).
The long-awaited label debut from Painted Orange, after a rave-up performance at the C’Stone fest a year or two back and an indie cassette that has been all the rage in the underground, seems to indicate (along with first time releases from Code of Ethics and Deitiphobia) that the wall between contemporary Christian music and Euro/tech/dance music is the next culture barrier to fall. And it’s about time. Painted Orange moves toward a more commercial sounding, owing more in tone and style to the “Axel F” theme from Beverly Hills Cop than it does to the mainstream kings of techno-pop, Depeche Mode and Erasure.
While this may insure a broader appeal for this Christian trio, fans of cutting edge sounds (having heard bands like Nitzer Ebb and Nine Inch Nails move toward industrial, rap and garage rock, while Jesus Jones melds keyboard sampling with classic rock songsmanship and sterling pop melodies), are certain to find this somewhat of a time-capsule piece. The fact that Mad at the World sounded more vital and timely in this genre four years ago, before it figured out how far we’ve yet to go. Still, Painted Orange seems well intentioned, and like Michael Peace’s first major label Christian rap album, this band is bound to win more fans with sugar than the straight medicine.
And what hard medicine there is can be found in lyrics like the opener «Colours», which offers the judgement concerning the end of a person mesmerized by our culture’s fascination with the external signs of success, who “stands alone in God’s perfect light.” Like the first half of a good Lutheran sermon, Greg Fain’s lyrics present a dynamic picture of the Law, however the song ends before presenting the Gospel response. Elsewhere, Painted Orange tells the whole story, as «Voyager», which opens with the only totally cool sample here (previously heard on this same track on the indie), assures us that “the Son rises in the stormy sky/ …None perish when the voyager leads/ He pilots us through the stormy seas.”
Painted Orange and the few others named are opening an important door, allowing for more vital and contemporary sounds to follow. Although this trio has not grown appreciably since its indie release, this only serves to raise the expectations we have for a sophomore effort. It is the challenge of all Christian artists in general, and specifically of artists in cutting edge genres, to find one’s own voice while not losing ground to creative trends and fashion. Painted Orange has made a strong first step. [Brian Q. Newcomb, CCM, December 1991]
What is this music? I kept wanting to say that this band sounded like another artist but I somehow couldn’t quite manage it. Painted Orange have gained the ability to play sounds that resemble other, more familiar artists and yet keep a unique identity of their own. I’m impressed! If you insist on pigeonholes let’s call it Eurotech/dance, the ‘Euro’ despite the fact that they hail from the States. Like other products of the US Christian underground, bands like Code Of Ethics and Deitiphobia, Painted Orange have at last picked up the gauntlet thrown down by the early techno Mad At The World. If you’re hip enough to have the ‘Painted Orange’ privately recorded cassette, fear not, this is a new album… their first with a big CCM push. Sowhazitlike? Just about every track is multi-layered, meaning that you can listen to them three or four times in succession and not get bored. Because of this advantage, Greg Fain’s lyrics are given a chance to sink in and do their work. “Take a look in the mirror and see the lines upon your face, are you really satisfied?” – “I’m here calling and you’re there standing still”: «Standing Still». For me, some of the outstanding racks were the first, «Colours», with it’s slightly eery intro which progresses through synthesized strings, to a punchy, aggressive dance track. In complete contrast, «Amanda», although containing an evident beat, is definitely a ballad. The use of strings is also fused into the track and along with a soft sounding electric piano, an effective yet airy song is produced. In my opinion, a band who can sound familiar and yet new and fresh must be good. Painted Orange live up to this expectation. [Debbie Edington, Cross Rhythms, February 1992]
[Dan MacIntosh, Harvest Rock Syndicate, November 1991]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/painted-orange/716114146)
CD tracklist:
01. Colours – 5:13
02. Shake Me – 4:53
03. Amanda – 5:00
04. Voyager – 4:56
05. Standing Still – 4:01
06. Stay Please Stay – 5:20
07. To Carry On – 5:08
08. You Walked – 4:41
09. Bow Down – 4:57
10. Hands – 4:34
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by StarSong Records.
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