I don't really like posting on controversy, it almost feels like I want to lead people by a leash by saying my thoughts on it. But I know that there are some who are thinking "Orange Range must be stopped" and I can't help but sympathise with them. I know this only brushes lightly on Rip Slyme and has very little to do with it overall. But this topic was floating around quite a bit and it's at times, made me mad for short moments.

Orange Range are quite a wonder story. With a career of only 3 years, they've sweeped Japan with a multitude of singles and awards. But there are some questions that have been left unanswered and some discoveries that have been unable to be heard. Why is it that these children, are able to release such songs that require certain amounts of music sophistication in such short time? I'd like to consider all points of this group. They are signed under the Spice Label by Sony, they've had several anime & movie tie ins. They are a marketing dream. How easy it is to make these group of teens appeal to the everyday girl. You can't say that these guys got where they were on skill alone, they started major. Their drummer, Katchan has left since last year due to "artistic differences". I may note that he was the founding member as well. How strange it is that a founding members leaves the group he created. He probably wisened up I bet and left before the truck went crashing.

I was quite interested with Orange Range, their Locolotion seemed like such a cute song and Shanghai Honey's PV made me laugh. The fact that Orange Range's songs jumped from hard wannabe rap to soft ballads made me file them in the "download sometimes" folder. But thinking back now, their PV really had a lot of effect on me. The concept of bikini clad girls dancing around and sometimes with little simple moves attracted me. And it seemed very sexist, but as I was fascinated, the girls didn't mind. It meant the guys liked having fun as they performed in a crowd of millions of ladies. By objectifying women, by making them wear skimpy clothing for their PVs and covers, they were making them feel important. Girls really thought "wow. these guys really seem to like us."

Now this Pakuri, the concept of "music stealing" has been noted by some Orange RAnge fans as just rival fans getting jealous over the success. After all by saying that a riff was stolen is opening a whole can of worms - many songs borrow other music. But what many of the investigators have realised is that Orange Range is quite smart as well. They take the guitar tune of one popular jpop song, mix it with their own half assed drumming or guitar (adding their Orange Range feel to it) and making some lines about what they happened to be thinking about that day. As I sat down one day, I realised that Orange Range has a Rip Slyme concept in a way: A high voice, a middle and a low. The Low voice guy with the dreads (I never cared for memorizing names) had a voice very much like Su's - though I am firmly believing that Su could beat him down with only a finger. But it's interesting. They are using elements of current groups and copying it on themselves. Think how Bump of Chicken is highly popular even today. Now think how Orange Range really does play with the concept.

But I'm not talking about the actual music being stolen. Now imagine my surprise that Locolotion did steal the hell out of Locomotion (that Kylie Minogue song) and Shanghai Honey even used *gasp* the Spice Girls' Wannabe. There is a website out there that confirms the use of one Mr Children song in one of the OR songs by comparing the musical structure, I cant seem to find it right now. Their ever popular song "Hana" is really just a big ripoff of half of the Mr Children songs. Orange Range is using every artist and making their formula with it. I was quite horrified to find that the guitar twangs of my favouriter FUNKASTIC was put into their "Samurai Mania" song.

While some artists go crazy thinking up of new material, Orange Range are taking old/popular material and jumbling it up. They add a dash of marketing and boom - instant hit.

Though some fans fight back. Orange Range could be innovating music and as well paying homage to their favourite artists. But when is the game too far? I think the line has been crossed without hesitation.

In short - Orange Range is a Sony Marketing Genius.

As an interesting Side Note, when Rip Slyme were performing on Music Station in promotion of their Good Job! album, Orange Range were on the list of performers as well. Though I haven't got the performance (I would love to see it), I'd suspect that I'd hate to hear if the Orange Range guys liked Rip Slyme. That just means another artist they like to rip off. Orange Range tends to leave a sour taste in the mouth of some music fans.