ORSO, "LONG TIME BY"

On their self-titled 1998 debut, oRSo sounded alot like Tom Waits and Rex(for which oRSo's frontman Phil Spirito is/was bassist) in collusion withthe Penguin Cafe Orchestra, all tripping barefoot through an Appalachiantwilight. It was all very beautiful and strange, and altogether an excellentstart. But their new record is miles ahead down the path. And there's nary ashred of indie rock on it -- it's all banjos and tenor guitars and weirdkeyboards and looped noises and lots and lots of gorgeous strings. And lotsof songs in waltz time (shades of Rex's fine WALTZ album). More and more,oRSo feels like a real band, with Ben's and Gillian's contributions evermore organic and integral to the project. LONG TIME BY is a slice of pureheaven served warm on the back porch, with some fresh cream on the side forextra yumminess. There is nothing more satisfying than this homemadeconfection -- wrought with magic and love, fraught with mystery and despair.