This is troublesome stuff full of warning signs - from the painful sincerity and pretension to the theft of Life Without Buildings' distinctive vocal style to the self-impressed omnisexual street poetry lyrics (think Lou Reed without any self-awareness).  Yes, Orphans & Vandals are kind of embarrassing, and yet still totally bewitching. The band may be too impressed by its own talent and overly indebted to its influences, but I can't stop listening.  Maybe it's because I'm a huge fan of those influences and appreciate ambition in general, even if it's pursued awkwardly.  Or maybe it's because, despite their faults, the two songs on this record are imminently listenable. "Terra Firma" is especially strong, but both numbers combine the aforementioned vocal and lyrical tics with droney yet melodic indie-folk orchestration, like Belle & Sebastian covering the Velvet Underground. The whole's definitely greater than the parts.

Garrett Martin

In a band?  Run a label?  Hate money so much you've made yourself a seven-inch?  Lemme hear it.  Send an email to music@flagpole.com and mention Singularity in the subject line.