Ohio's Orchestraville has spent much its musical career as if it were climbing the corporate ladder of some eclectic pop enterprise. Whether it was drawn from the darker leanings of Beatles, the songcrafting of The Kinks' Ray Davies, or the distilled beauty of 60's influenced Robyn Hitchcock, their strength is in a catchy melody. On their third release, "Poison Berries," it seems as though Orchestraville has finally become the CEO of that very enterprise.

Tossing aside the quirky rhythmic motifs of their previous work, "Poison Berries" employs more traditional pop arraingements, while allowing the band's unmistakable melodic character to continue on. Primary songwriter Christopher Forbes has crafted personal and poetic lyrics and married them with melodies that are both classic and original. In the process they have held onto their British Invasion influences. In a way, this is really Orchestraville's debut CD.

The core of the band, guitarist and singer Forbes, bassist Dave Pascoe and drummer Keith Hanlon, have been playing together for more than ten years. They released two CDs prior to "Poison Berries" and toured the east coast and midwest, opening for acts like Earlimart, Thinking Fellers Union Local 282, and Mark Mulcahy. They each spent much of their time off the road in a variety of activities. Forbes worked as a recording engineer for Bone Thugs' own Bizzy Bone, Hanlon toured with Chicago's Nad Navillus and worked many a session date, while Pascoe taught high school physics.

The addition of former Curious Digit, Songs:Ohia, and Royal Trux keyboardist and solo artist Parker Paul (Jagjaguwar Records) brought a touch of 60s rock to the band. Primarily playing organ, Paul channels The Animals' Alan Price, Elvis Costello's Steve Nieve, and the bouncing piano of Randy Newman. His sound has inspired the band to pursue more direct material, even incorporating swing and folk arrangements on the album.

Recorded in their living rooms and basements by Hanlon and Forbes, "Poison Berries" presents Orchestraville's newest songs with a relaxed, live feel. Rather than concentrating on details, they paint with a broader brushstroke, adding only what is needed to the performance.

"Poison Berries" was mastered by renown engineer Steve Hoffman (Paul McCartney, The Doors, Ray Charles), and is due to be released by Anyway Records in 2006.