EP Review: The Lounge Bar Orchestra – The Incidents OST
I make a practice of not reviewing singles or EPs, as I prefer the longer-form format’s ability to provide a deeper look into what an artist’s about. But rules being made to be broken, the occasional exception happens when and as warranted.
The Lounge Bar Orchestra is a high-concept project with a nicely developed (fictional) back story. I won’t recount it here, as it’s best read in its original form. What I will say is that the 7” disc titled The Incidents purports to be a long-lost soundtrack from a sci-fi/sex romp of sorts dating from 1973. Listeners (like me) who love soundtrack music of the ‘60s and ‘70s (Barbarella, Our Man Flint, the TV series UFO and the like) will luxuriate in this period-correct music.
The title track is filled with wordless vocals and brass, and tinkling keyboards. “Temporal Damage” is sound effects-laden, as if lifted directly from the audio strip of the film. “Car Crash in Reverse” is wonderfully evocative, and the orgiastic screams are a hoot. “Sex Inside the Forcefield” sounds like its title suggests, all burnt-orange shag carpets and combo organs (so to speak). At scarcely ten minutes total, the four tracks will leave those so inclined hungry for more. A delight. On clear vinyl with no inner label to get in your way.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day for several years). The more than 5000 interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- some 40 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums is available now. Read even more about him here.