Medicine – Orbit (from Libido Speedway)
The theme is ‘forgotten songs of the 90s’ but (of course) what counts as forgotten is all a matter of perspective. What some have forgotten may remain vital for others. And, many great songs may simply never have hit the radar at all for most people. Today I’m going to explore that angle, and delve into the bin of ‘forgotten almost at the moment of release.’
This track just about screams mid-90s. It’s got a bass-driven line that reminds me of Harvey Danger, a drum fill that could easily have come from Weezer’s blue album, and the loud/soft dynamic that was reborn in the wake of Nevermind. Bands like Orbit strike me as the logical ancestors of 21st century acts like The Strokes. “Medicine” can’t give you the raucous energy of the Pixies, but it hasn’t completely given up the ghost yet.
Whether the backbenchers of the 90s are preferable to their counterparts these days is obviously a subjective question. But for my money there is a lot more room for something evocative here than you’ll get from a bunch of Strokes knock-offs.
I find it hard to believe someone still remembers this record. I knew of it, because it was my job to review new records for the college radio station I used to be part of. Even though I recommended it, it was hardly played on air.