The debut album by Birmingham, Alabama quartet Wild Sweet Orange is full of meditative Southern rock tunes backed by chugging guitars and good old shuffling beats. Even when the lyrics on songs like "Ten Dead Dogs" are earnest and world weary, the music remains buoyant. Lead singer Preston Lovinggood anchors the band with his vocal gymnastics on "Tilt" going from a whisper to an arena rock god wail like it's a walk in the park. The band is especially good at selling the story song, a Southern staple. "Aretha's Gold" mixes in psychedelic flourishes to spice up this twisted love story of a song which also features some wild guitar work. "Sour Milk" is more contemplative and winsome in it's overall tone but this track about "one pissed off generation of kids" is the album's strongest tunes.

--Amy Wagner

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