Rip It Up
Orange Juice

Orange Juice - Rip It Up Album Review Rip It Up is a fun, quirky little album that doesn’t quite reach greatness but has enough charm to make it worthwhile. Orange Juice blend post-punk jangle with a funky, almost disco-like groove, creating something that feels light, effortless, and refreshingly offbeat. The title track is easily the highlight, with its bouncy, rubbery bassline and sly, knowing vocal delivery, a song so catchy it almost tricks you into thinking the whole album will be just as infectious. Elsewhere, tracks like Flesh of My Flesh and Louise Louise have a scrappy, playful energy that keeps things moving along nicely, even if they never quite hit the same highs. The problem with Rip It Up is that it never fully commits to being one thing. At times, it leans into funk and new wave, at others, it feels like a more polished version of their early post-punk roots, but it never quite locks into a distinct identity. Edwyn Collins’ deadpan croon adds character, but occasionally the album meanders, with songs like Breakfast Time and A Million Pleading Faces feeling more like pleasant background music than essential listening. The band’s decision to embrace slicker production works in some places but also smooths out some of the raw charm that made their early work so unique. That being said, Rip It Up is still an enjoyable listen. It’s got an undeniable sense of fun, some strong grooves, and enough personality to keep things interesting, even if it never fully delivers on its potential. It’s good, sometimes very good, but never quite great. A solid, enjoyable album that just stops short of being a classic.

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