In 2003, Orphan Project released their debut and, what is worth stressing, very successful album entitled Orphan Found. I can’t remember why this disc was not included in our annual poll for best progressive album A.D. 2003 (as one of the best progressive debuts of that year it would have had a chance of playing an important role there) and its premiere just passed unnoticed, which is a pity.
Today, after nearly 5 years, we can eat humble pie. However, there is a good opportunity to come back to this American band’s music, thanks to the release of the EP entitled II. It consists of 4 tracks, three of which are new and original compositions of the band and one – a surprising and, to be honest, shocking in its innovative approach, remake of famous Pink Floyd theme “Another Brick In The Wall Pt.2”. Three songs that I mentioned, are rhythmic rock tracks, with a great deal heavier characteristics than songs which were included in the debut album of Orphan Project. That album was imbued with noble artistic sound, many a time stepping into the territories close to the Kansas group’s. On EP II there are neither violins nor cellos, which played a substantial role in creating the Orphan Project’s style. Although in “My Goodness” one can hear the strings, it is clear that they are generated by the computer. Consequently, the effect is completely different. The two remaining premiere tracks quite unexpectedly bring the sound of Orphan Project closer to metal. I don’t know whether this is a reflection of the current fascinations the members of the group, or a trend which Orphan Project unfortunately want to follow. I write “unfortunately”, because in comparison with the debut album, the group as if lost a lot of their originality on their new EP, blending in with a myriad of other prog metal performers.
Most probably this minialbum should be viewed as a kind of a bridge between the debut and the next album. It is likely that with these 4 tracks Orphan Project wanted to remind themselves to their fans, inform the world that they still exist and operate on a new material. That’s why, since we know about it, we can wait for the release of the new album and only wish that the band returns to the art rock climates. This is where they are more successful than in pure rock repertoire.
PS: A separate, but very important issue in Orphan Project’s case is falling into the category of very popular trend overseas: Christian rock. The lyrics of the compositions and the comments in the booklets of the albums have references to the Bible. Another aspect is that the leader of the band, Shane Lankford was an adopted child. This has had an enormous influence on his both personal and artistic life. The concept of the debut disc was entirely devoted to the problems of the adopted child and life has written its own punchline: with his wife Wendy, Shane adopted a son Graem several years ago and they are very happy and proud parents now.
Translated by Katarzyna Chachlowska
