Outrageous Cherry

Detroit psychedelic pop outfit Outrageous Cherry have been crafting their own version of the Nuggets box since they dropped their reverb-drenched self-titled debut on Bar/None in 1994. Driven by the immaculate pop craftsmanship of guitarist/singer Matthew Smith, the group's penchant for early-Bee Gees melodies, Velvet Underground freakouts, and Galaxie 500-induced dream sequences changed little throughout the years, which makes the career-spanning Wide Awake in the Spirit World: The Best of Outrageous Cherry -- released on Steven Van Zandt's Wicked Cool Records no less -- such a solid listen. Smith, who sounds like a cross between Joey Ramone, Brian Wilson, and the Posies' Ken Stringfellow, somehow manages to simultaneously filter everything through the flat black slabs of both Pink Floyd's Saucerful of Secrets and Spiritualized's Lazer Guided Melodies. It's a neat trick that should wear out its welcome but never does, as the band stays true to the standards of the three-minute pop song, rarely venturing out into the nebulous seas of acid rock improvisation. Standout cuts like "Stay Right Here for a Little While," "Saturday Afternoon," "Why Don't We Talk About Something Else," "New Creature," and "Young and Miserable" may have been plucked from different trees, but they're all from the same orchard. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide