Seemingly the byproduct of regular acid usage and too many Sparks albums, Digital Leather (a.k.a. Shawn Foree) has produced a body of experimental New Wave synth-punk as impressive as it is abnormal. After a clutch of sold-out singles and three full-lengths, the prolific Foree has his first proper studio release, the terrific Warm Brother. Toss Tubeway Army, Jim Carroll, Plastic Bertrand, Syd Barrett and the Spits in a blender, hit puree and you have your starting point. A mind-bending treat, this remarkably palpable album also serves notice that Foree is primed for commercial waters as well as veneration as an indie-bedroom genius.
This article appears in Oct 29 – Nov 4, 2009.