If you’ve read this column even a few times, you know that I like to pontificate on what is country, or rock or whatever. So many of our state’s greatest bands cross sonic boundaries and, understandably, aren’t in the world’s biggest hurry to be lumped into a nice, neat and tidy category that possibly limits what it is they are trying to accomplish. Take the Old 97′s or Slobberbone for example, many folks will tell you they are rock bands if you ask them, but ask another group and they’ll tell you that they couldn’t tell you since they’re really “not into country.”

Crazy, right?

It doesn’t take but listening to the first few tracks off of The Orbans excellent release, When We Were Wild, to see that this is a discussion who’s cloud will follow them around. Not that it’s such a bad thing, min you. Fact is, people will be talking about this outfit from Ft. Worth, because they are just that good.

For the initiated, and for those who aren’t “into country,” give the album’s second track “Song We Sang” a listen. Resembling the Beatles far more than the Drive By Truckers, the group’s propensity for catchy, hooky melodies is joyously obvious. Really, that’s the case throughout the album, but that song seems to really set the stage.

The Ben Haprer-approved band, who had a twangier EP, Switchblade Waterpistol, from a couple of years ago, recorded much of the album in Los Angeles and have even recorded a really nifty video for the shuffling tune that, yes, has some strong, Americana vibes to it, “Like  A Liar.”

So, grab the record, switch it on and just listen. If you’re like us, and love to figure out where a band “fits”, then hopefully you’ll also catch yourself just bopping along and not concerning yourself with what they are instead of how they are.

Kelly Dearmore is a freelance writer, mean pot of chili maker and opinionated music lover. To read more about what Kelly is listening to, visit him here on The Squawker weekly or daily on his personal music blog, The Gobblers Knob