Review
Digital Leather
Modern Problems

It’s been three years since Shawn Foree’s one man synth-punk project Digital Leather released the critically acclaimed album Warm Brother. In that time he’s seen the untimely passing of his friend-turned-manager Jay Reatard, and—after one-off stints on Goner and Fat Possum—has returned to the smaller label he was with before that, FDH. The latest outing, Modern Problems, was recorded to tape in Foree’s bedroom, and the result is somewhat baffling. As a body of art, It’s either enjoyable by accident or it’s purposefully mediocre.

On one hand, Modern Problems is an oddly appealing record, loosely rooted in ‘80s-esque new wave and goth. Amass with catchy hooks and trappings of what was once long ago referred to as “college rock,” it comfortably holds a place alongside the familiarity of Hughes’ movie soundtracks, Joy Division, and even the lo-fidelity alt-punk of early R.E.M.

On the other hand, it’s mildly entertaining at best. Late in the record is a song called “The Man With No Emotion.” Not only is it aptly titled but it is quite possibly evocative of the problem with Modern Problems as a whole. This is exactly the kind of album that could get mistakenly labeled as “moody”, when in fact there is not much for ups-n-downs, rather just a labile steadiness throughout. Even the tracks that may or may not be about Jay Reatard—and for the metaphorically inclined, there are several that could be—come across as casually apathetic gestures.

Overall Modern Problems is not as accessible a listening experience as the predecessor was. Foree has narrowed his scope, setting aside some of the further-reaching aspects that made Warm Brother appealing to a broader audience. Gone as well, is the snotty aggressiveness of early Digital Leather records. Instead he put together a bunch of songs that kind of all sound the same. That being said, there are some subdued yet fetching moments here.

Both “Enzymes” and “Feeding Frenzy” are delightful power-pop numbers redolent of the Dr. Frank-fronted Mr. T. Experience, while “Hot Bubblegum” recalls Jawbreaker, but in a less caring way. The aforementioned “The Man With No Emotion” hips the listener to the synth-gothic brilliance that Foree is capable of. Not for long though, as he quickly pulls back the reigns, ending the song by half-heartedly and confusingly demanding, “Look at me…don’t look at me.” Bewilderment abound, all of these have a not-quite-trying-100%-but -totally-on-purpose thing going on.

Without knowing what the intention behind Modern Problems is, it makes it is difficult to perceive it in an easily understandable way. But then again, that’s precisely the type of thing that makes good art.