Who? In a characteristically Southern happenstance, Birmingham, AL natives Preston Lovinggood (vocals) and Chip Kilpatrick (drums) met at church choir practice, and soon formed the nucleus of what would grow into Wild Sweet Orange. The band’s debut EP, The Whale, dropped earlier this year and the outfit will release a yet-to-be titled full-length in early 2008.

What's the Deal? The Whale presents a beautifully mournful blend of sparkling acoustic guitars and enchanting riffs under Lovinggood's forceful, John Vanderslice-like vocals. The buttery, dreary "Be Careful What You Want" adds a few weirdly high-pitched riffs to this mix, and the effect is delicately intoxicating. Similar hypnotic vibes resonate through "Land of No Return," a track that gracefully recalls Explosions in the Sky's swirling instrumentation and light, neat drums. But Wild Sweet Orange also explore their edgier side with the perky "I'm Coming Home," mixing buoyant strumming with more desperate, commanding vocals.

Fun Fact: Though still a young and predominantly under-the-radar act, Wild Sweet Orange's tunes have already made their television debut: "Land of No Return," a track off The Whale, was featured in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy last spring. 

Now Hear This:
Wild Sweet Orange - "Wrestle With God" DOWNLOAD MP3

Now Watch This:
Wild Sweet Orange - "Wrestle With God" QUICKTIME

On the Web:
Wild Sweet Orange at MySpace