Candyass

08/18/1998 3:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Bill Holdship

Just as you can't judge a book by its cover or title (hey, the whole world's a cliche these days, so why not just start with one?), you probably shouldn't judge a band by the way they look. Or even by their name.

When Orgy's debut arrived, touting titles like "Fetisha," "Stitches," "Gender," and "Fiend," this reviewer simply anticipated a chip off the old Marilyn Manson block--a fact only compounded by an image of the band that reveals they seriously subscribe to the notion of silly haircuts in rock. And makeup, too! Both of which seem rather anachronistic in 1998 (Mother of reviewer in 1974 to reviewer and his friend: "Your dad and I stayed up last night to watch David Bowie [on Midnight Special and whom reviewer and friend had driven over four hours recently to see in concert]. Why, that man is a queer!"), but whatever. Add to this the fact that Orgy is the first signing to a new custom label formed by Korn, those SoCal agents of good nature 'n' cheer, and, well, to quote Richard Hell, please kill me.

So, imagine my surprise to discover this L.A.-based unit actually has melody (a concept!), and--just as importantly--a total sense of humor about themselves. In fact, a closer inspection of those haircuts reveals that each 'do here (five of 'em) has roots (no pun intended)--be it the Cure, Flock Of Seagulls, the Sex Pistols, and Ziggy-era Bowie.

Which is almost a translation of where the band is coming from, musically, as well. Some of it sounds like Bowie's Berlin-era collaborations with Eno...which, ultimately, will mean that some of it sounds like Gary Numan merged with Stooges-like noise. And "Fiend" could literally pass as a Psychedelic Furs outtake. Lyrics are occasionally hilarious, intentionally or not--"Heaven save the freaks"--reminiscent of Iggy's own Berlin/ Idiot era. They do a fine cover of New Order's "Blue Monday." The only thing cooler would be if the "Dizzy" that closes the LP had been a cover of the Tommy Roe bubblegum tune.

Essentially, with Orgy, the '90s now have their own Sha Na Na. This is a good thing.