Review: Outrageous Cherry - The Digital Age
By Eli Schoop, Contributor
[Burger Records, 2014]
Rating: 4.5/10
Key Tracks: "Energy"
If you're familiar with Outrageous Cherry, The Digital Age is not a departure from its previous, distinctive work. The psych-pop outfit has been a mainstay since the ‘90s, when front man Matthew Smith started it as a solo project. With over 13 releases since its inception, the band has consistently crafted its own sound, often to varying results.
On this release, however, Outrageous Cherry's straightforward jams are a cut below what has been previously put out. “Energy” starts out the ride assertively, stamping out what the group wants to do on this record and how it wants to do it. It's a punchy, no-holds-barred type of song, the kind that makes one wants to start their own band in a garage somewhere.
Although it starts on such a high note, The Digital Age cannot maintain that high for too long. “(You're A) Vortex,” although driven and unfazed, fails to impress. It would benefit from a more aggressive hook and cleaner drums, as its hazy exterior doesn't shine among the other popish hits that lay scattered throughout. “I Think She's Alright” is straight out of The Modern Lovers' playbook, a Johnathan Richman special coalesced with blander harmonies and an unoriginal riff layered on top of the tepid hook.
Much of the problem of The Digital Age comes with the lack of ambition it provides. It's okay to not want to create the next Dusk At Cubist Castle or Cherry Peel with each passing pop-rock album released, but the effort put forth here isn't indicative of a band that wants to reinforce its sound as fresh and exciting.
More than other Outrageous Cherry LPs, there's very little in the way of deviation, and the sound that is formed on The Digital Age stagnates very quickly. “Nameless Strangeless” is a prime offender here. A track that sounds like total filler on an album of filler is an egregious offense to commit; the airy quality that lends itself to the song quickly becomes tiresome. Everything presented, whilst inoffensive and fun, also congregates this sort of tired malaise, where nothing's happening and no one cares.
For all its faults, The Digital Age is worth an afternoon's listen. Enjoyable during a quick listen, its manageable tone and accessible enormity is its downfall, as the more familiar it becomes to the listener the more boring it becomes. Simultaneously both an affront to the classic artists it takes its dues from and the sizable career span the band possesses, no one wins in this ordeal. The best option is a simple shrug and to move on from a disappointing snore.
