Matthew Smith is a long time fixture on Detrot rock’n’roll scene. For years, his music is very well informed with all those genres that make rock music so exciting for all of us. His band with a revolving membership, Outrageous Cherry has been proving that for the past 20 years with some 15 odd albums. This year’s album Digital Age is in many ways a special one.
First, it comes after a four year break in discography – the longest one so far on Smith’s list. But sometimes, making a longer break like that can result in a very positive result. A bunch of songs piled up and Digital Age can be heard as the most consistent Outrageous Cherry album in my memory.
Smith’s songwriting is super clever and catchy. Lots of songs deal with the modern times and even some politics. Very engaging stuff, but not overwhelming. The music contains a lot of cool guitars and vocals are drenched in powerful reverbs and phasing. The bass player Colleen Burke also did a great job on it.
Talking about Colleen, she is also in Danny And The Darleans – another really cool Detroit band that had a record recently. Just by looking at the cover, I think it’s titled Stink, but it appears title-less on some other listings out there.
Danny of course is Danny Kroha who was with The Gories and Demolition Doll Rods. He’s taking the main stage on this new trio – the spotlight is on him this time. Stink contains some strong garage rock material and it really stands out in the ambitious tune Les Fleurs Du Mal.
Stink by Danny And The Darleans and Digital Age by Outrageous Cherry are two strongest records from Detroit in 2014, which will obviously remain as one of the strongest rock’n’roll towns. Both bands contain Colleen Burke on bass and both records are recorded in mono. Really great stuff!