Review Summary: A misunderstood masterstroke, Orange Juice invent modern indie pop, and subsequently influence countless artists with this
Orange Juice is a band that rose in the early 80s to some very minor success. They play a variety of upbeat post-punk and jangle pop that didn't resemble bands at the time. That is is to say, they were able to get their music out their on a label, but it was so weird and oddball for the time that it remained incredibly underground, though many of the songs on this record could've become hits, if they were more toned down.
But Orange doesn't give a *** about that. In fact, vocalist and lead songwriter Edwyn Collins basically spits in the face of all the dark, brooding post punk of the time and desides to create a force that is, undeniably, happy. He crafts tunes that are drenced with a particular shimmery and sunny production, which explains the album art and its proto-seapunk vibes. The result is an obnoxious and wonky dive into New Romantic strangeness. In short, this album is as edgy as it gets in 1982.
With a sound that would hugely inspire the future genres of indie and general hipster music, Orange Juice was not without their imitators. Collins' signature vocal style was imitated by none other than Morrissey of the Smiths shortly following the albums initial release and exposure, and the guitar/ keyboard interplay would later be heard in the work of the underground UK post-punk giants, Felt. The music itself, after over 30 years, still sounds as fresh as ever, and certainly way ahead of its time. At times it has more in common with 90s alternative than it does with 80s jangle.
'You Can't Hide Your Love Forever', overall, is a brilliant album, and one of the many groundbreaking albums that has been somewhat lost to time and culture. Many of the choices present on this album, whether one finds them interesting or not, were the first of their kind. Orange Juice kick post punk standards right in the jaw, and leave them lying there in the sunshine. This album should not be underestimated; do not be discouraged by the stratified rating, as most of the 1s are probably from people who jammed the first song, heard how odd it was, and then turned it off (this is presumably, the only explanation), thus missing the gems within. This is pure art, and something that one has to experience for themselves.
