Rating: 2/5 stars

Caeser Pink & The Imperial Orgy wants to say what others do not want to. Correction: they say what others, including themselves, should not. Unlike a cat, the band’s drive to push the limits of music and impactful social commentary does not land on their feet.

The band sent The Oswegonian  a copy of the group’s latest album, “A Whole New Way of Makin’ it Happen!” I was instantly put off by the strange cover art depicting a handful of various pills, UFOs blowing up Earth, skeletons and an electric guitar zapping a man with a television set over the backdrop of space. But you cannot judge a book by its cover, right? I unfolded the pamphlet accompanying the CD and found reviews I could not push past. 

“A hopeless suicide-inducing jumble…the lyrics hold an unpleasant message, causing a number of college radio stations to ban the CD,” one review read from Knight Life News, the Old Bridge High School of Matawan, New Jersey, newspaper.

That was the first red flag. In fact, there were several waving all over the page. I tried to give the group the benefit of the doubt, telling myself that perhaps they were made up reviews for the sake of creating a rebellious and challenging image. Boy, was I wrong. 

On the inside of the CD’s sleeve, a small equation depicting the listening instructions read as such: headphones plus a marijuana leaf equals happiness. I wish I had followed the instructions. Listening to this album sober was a difficult and infuriating process. The first track, “The Invitation,” began as a meditative tune that did the opposite of what that style of music is meant to do. I was uncomfortable from the first note. However, I felt that I needed to stick it out. After the drawling “zen” interlude came a jarring rush of psychedelic rock. 

For a band that claims genres are “a prison that limits creativity,” they had a very defined sound. Throughout the album, the band experimented with funk, hip-hop, rock and even musical theater styles, but all had the underlying and unmistakable sound of classic psychedelic rock. From the heavily affected guitar riffs to extended instrumentals, it is impossible not to categorize this psychedelic rock. 

Yet, where most psychedelic music succeeds, Caesar Pink & The Imperial Orgy fail. Despite their entrancing sound and well-composed instrumentals, the mixing is poorly done. While it could be argued that the messy mixing and overlapping and distortion of the music was done on purpose, it made the tracks difficult to listen to and nearly impossible to fully enjoy.

Among the mess was the well-crafted beats infused with Pink Floyd-esque rock ‘n’ roll with vocal samples, heavy guitar solos and use of various object sounds, á la “The Dark Side of the Moon.” Unlike Pink Floyd, their drawn-out tracks and instrumentals continued for an insufferable amount of time.

Continuing with the sound, the vocals switch between a funk-soul style, hip-hop and rock. Each song showcases the artists well. Their abilities are exceptional, but the group falls off the deep end with mumbling nonsense and in some instances, slurs and offensive language. Yes, there are plenty of artists who use slurs and offensive language, but most of the time it is done tastefully. It appears Imperial Orgy believes they are using the language tastefully in order to make social commentary. However, it comes off as distasteful and unnecessarily crude.

Imperial Orgy’s attempt at being the bold and rebellious heroes the world of music needs is lost in their over-the-line lyrics and jumbled sound. The band’s determination to not be defined by a genre also contributes to their failure. Many musicians wear several caps. For example, Patti Smith has branches in punk, hard rock and soft rock. Pop princess Chappell Roan has experimented with country and has been hinting at a rock album for the past few months. These artists are prime examples of the ease in which genres can be blended for a unique sound and still be defined by a genre. Artists who can reach and flourish in different genres are important to the industry. However, when the band is resisting a label, not only does it give them a difficult image, but makes it difficult for potential fans to track them down.

In their determination to challenge the current social climate and make bold statements, the band has lost any boundaries they might have once had. The crudeness of the lyrics, regardless of the intent, overshadows the commendable accompaniment. “A Whole New Way of Makin’ it Happen!” is a radically twisted album that is missing a point. As an introductory album for listeners, it is too pushy. Imperial Orgy rubs listeners’ faces in stereotypes and slurs, resulting in the band overshooting their opportunity to empower people and encourage activism.

The album had the potential to be a powerful, high-energy statement piece – an anthem, if you will – for activism and grabbing younger people’s interest  for an older sound in a modern way. The negative aspects of the album severely damage its ability to receive positive reception. For such a unique and fun sound that could open the door to a career of endless possibilities and success, “A Whole New Way of Makin’ it Happen!” takes the exploit too far and ruins the experience.

Image from Caeser Pink & The Imperial Orgy via theimperialorgy