Poison Berries by Orchestraville

The final album from Orchestraville, originally scheduled for release in 2005. From the original press release:

Ohio's Orchestraville has always been on a quest for the classic pop song. Whether it was drawn from the new wave leanings of XTC, the songwriting of The Kinks' Ray Davies, or the concentrated musicianship of Luna, their goal is a catchy melody.

On their third release, "Poison Berries," Orchestraville has tossed aside the quirky rhythmic motifs of their previous work for a more conventional rock format. Primary songwriter Christopher Forbes has crafted personal and poetic lyrics and married them with melodies that are both classic and original. In the process they have held onto their British Invasion influences, taking cues from The Who and The Stones. In a way, this is really Orchestraville's debut CD.

The core of the band, guitarist and singer Forbes, bassist Dave Pascoe and drummer Keith Hanlon, have been playing together for more than ten years. The addition of former Curious Digit keyboardist and solo artist Parker Paul (Jagjaguwar Records) brought a touch of 60s rock to the band. Primarily playing organ, Paul channels The Animals' Alan Price, The Band's Garth Hudson and The Doors' Ray Manzareck. His sound has inspired the band to pursue more direct material, even incorporating swing and folk arrangements on the album.

Recorded in their living rooms and basements by Hanlon and Forbes, "Poison Berries" presents Orchestraville's newest songs with a relaxed, live feel. Rather than concentrating on details, they paint with a broader brushstroke, adding only what is needed to the performance.

Orchestraville performed from the early 1990s through the mid 2000s in Athens and Columbus, Ohio.

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