Heave Media

Time On A String Won't Have You Hanging On

Ortolan rides a tired wave of girl groups that rely more on novelty rather than talent

Ortolan

Time on a String

Released on Mar 09, 2010

Girl groups from the 1960s seem to be the only acts that are cited more often than shoegazers as inspiration for modern-day bands and singers. On some occasions, the re-interpretation is a success (see Vivian Girls), but more often than not, bands that rely on the Phil Spector-produced sound manage to put out one vaguely decent album before returning to their day jobs selling cupcakes or sundresses.

OK, so there’s a bit of bitterness there on my part. But I’ve got high and subjective standards when it comes to girl groups. Sounding twee doesn’t really do much for me anymore, considering Zooey Deschanel has that market cornered, and any other novelty becomes an annoyance rather than an attraction. Is it Ortolan’s fault that they’re a quartet of young sisters (ages 16, 18, and 20) and one sister-in-law (age 23)? Of course not, but it’s as if the fact that they’re young and related is supposed to make their juvenile lyrics and simple melodies interesting.  

Now, before I continue being the angry old woman shaking her fist at those adorable young things, I do have to give them credit where credit is due—they have done a thorough job of gathering inspiration from good ol’ fashioned girl groups, minus any of the sass that those ladies brought to the scene. Listening to this album is akin to riding your bike through a field of daisies while wearing a gingham romper. How can someone take issue with that? When there is absolutely nothing new about their interpretation. Their lyrics sound like they’ve been taken from the youngest sister’s diary (which they technically were), and the instrumentation sounds so practiced and restrained. While there’s something to be said for such earnest naiveté in songwriting, the girls find themselves smack at the end of a long line of women who have offered the same thing with more unique results.

As far as specific songs to highlight, it’s difficult to choose one. As another nod to their fidelity to their inspiration of choice, all of the songs sound functionally alike. At times, there’s an extra drum beat, or a random accordion thrown in (check “Just Like Me” for that addition), but there are few standouts. That being said, if there is one song that saves this album from oblivion, it’s “Opposites.” I dislike the lyrics—which shouldn’t come as a surprise—but I enjoy the piano part, and I’ve been known to get behind a hand clap whenever it appears on a track. Thanks to these things, the track manages to be catchy without being too precious.

And what’s a best song shout-out without a mention of the worst one? “Sticky Situation,” hands-down. The unison voices on the chorus is the only thing that’s worth listening to, because it’s such a departure from the otherwise solo vocal tracks. But this is about as young as their lyrics get, and after listening to it, I feel like giving the girls some ice cream cones, patting them on their respective heads, and telling them that shit gets better sooner or later.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t get better on this album. I have a feeling people will fall over themselves for the cute concept of a sister band, and its release date couldn’t be more perfectly timed—this is a spring album if I’ve ever heard one. I just wish that Ortolan could have done the season proud and offered something new to add to the girl group archetype.

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Posted by Alyssa Vincent on Mar 11, 2010 @ 6:00 am