Aided and abetted by Canadian rapper Snow, Usher offers a semblance of new jack swing in the late-night vibe of "Joy in Small Places." The disc's full melodies and studio-tweaked successes are sometimes offset by the singer's pretensions, though. A line in "How Are You" about "another struggle just to get through nine to five" is laughable coming from a guy who hasn't had a day job in years, while a cover of Tracy Chapman's dead-end-lives portrait "Fast Car" only serves to remind listeners of the vastly superior original. And, in "Butterfly," Usher's tendency to over-emote sinks an otherwise delicate, acoustic guitar-based number. But those who can overlook such foibles--and, judging by the success of Moist, there are many--will find much to like about Morning Orbit. --Shawn Conner

Album Description
Second solo album for one of Canada's premier songwriters & performers who's full-time gig is lead singer for multi-platinum band Moist. For this, his second solo outing, David Usher is joined by Canuck music-stars Snow, Jag and Bruce from I Mother Earth and Gord Sinclair from The Tragically Hip (as well as all his Moist-mates) on an album of introspective and delightful soundscapes, as seen on songs like "How Are You?" and the lead single "Alone In The Universe". 11 tracks in all. 2001.

Album Details
One of Canada's Premiere Songwriters and Performers is Releasing his Second Solo Album. His is Normally the Singer for Multi-platinum Band Moist.

I left it on my CD player for almost 6 months, listening to it on my long bus rides to and from school. And it was only to be replaced briefly with Moist's number one singles (which is excellent as well!).

After watching David Usher preform these songs in concert reaffirms the greatness of this album! It is a must for all music lovers as it covers a wide selection of music!
Try it out! You'll love it!


Stunningly Original   December 2, 2002
Lee Armstrong (Winterville, NC United States)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

"Little Songs," Usher's 1998 solo set, was brilliant with its care for arrangement, melody, and lyrical depth. "Morning Orbit" comes in a bit less dark, but equally compelling. "How Are You" opens with layered keyboard, guitar and multi-tracked backing vocals on this musically cheerful, lyrically dark track, "Had a vision of the ruby sky, we were riding high on our own pink elephant, another day in this f**ked-up life, another struggle just to get through nine to five." Four of his five bandmates from Moist play on the CD. Spine opens with insistent keyboards on the electric samba "Too Close to the Sun." My favorite track is "Black Black Heart." It gets a haunting, downright spooky treatment on track 3 followed by the uncredited electronic crunch guitar version that is track 12. Julia Galos' operatic background vocals give a surreal quality to the first version, "I'm eating all your kings & queens, all your sex & your diamonds as I begin to lose my grip on these realities you're sending, taste your mind & taste your sex; I'm naked underneath your cover." "Alone in the Universe," the single, churns in a maelstrom of electric guitar, "He's got his suit, his tie, his drink, his mtv; he's trading his life away, you can't escape, we're all infected now." The melody of "Butterfly" flits by like the zigzag flight of one of these sweet creatures. Canadian reggae rapper Snow cowrote "Joy in Small Places" while Jay Tanna from the Canadian band I Mother Earth joins David on vocals on a musically complex driving track that will have you hitting the repeat button. "A Day In the Life" written by Usher moves like Joshua Tree-era U2. David's vocals are breathy on the slow, beautifully melodic "My Way Out" which builds to crescendo. "Blinded" is an electric track with lyrics submerged, "a circus sideshow but the makeup's shining through." Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" is given quite a different reading, a dream and desire for escape. "I blew it up with everyone who ever knew me," David sings on "Closer." The electric version of "Black Black Heart" raves like an electronic sunspot with vocals submerged beyond recognition, a brilliant contrast to track 3's version. Usher is again brilliant on "Morning Orbit." Why there's not a US release is more than a mystery. This is prime rock from a brilliant artist.


Will be one of your fav albums of all time!!   March 10, 2006
Dave Bartholomew (Adelaide Australia)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I recieved this album from a friend (I live in Australia) and thought i must've died. It is almost impossible to even import any David Usher into the country, but even after having this album for 2-3 years, i still find myself putting it back in the cd player. Would sit it next to my fav new age albums and find it quite a bit next to even Pink Floyds Dark Side Of The Moon. Would recommend this album to anyone, thanks a lot for my listening pleasure...


Best CD ever!   December 15, 2001
Ali (Ontario, Canada)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I've listened to his first solo album "Little Songs" and only liked one song "Forestfire"...but when i heard the song "Black black heart", off his second solo album, i fell head over heels!! I never thought i'd hear a song so captivating...so i went out and bought the CD, and i have to say that it's the best CD i've ever bought(and i have over 200 CDs) In other words, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ALBUM!! If you have any (or all) of the "Moist" CDs...you should know that they don't even compare(hope that gives you an idea of how great this album really is)
Later dayz!


This guy rocks!   November 21, 2003
Frank-Z (ON,CA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Wow!I just went to his concert which is part of the promotional tour for his new album "Hallucination".I must say that this guy sounds AWESOME in live,even better than the album tracks.When his signature song "Black Black Heart" bursts out without our anticipation,it truly feels like a bliss!This is my first concert ever,and it's really impressive!So I am going to buy this album tomorrow,instead of the new one,'cause I still can't get this one out my head!