If you don't know who the White Guys Jumping are, I don't blame you. They used to be around in the early 2000's and were what I would consider "meme folk". The project, based in Mashpee (MA), was started by a young Cameron Clarke who had interest in so many different musical genres and needed an artistic outlet. Before "Outside", he had already released 3 albums, but this release was his first "serious" recording, with multiple instruments and good production quality.
"Outside" is like a snapshot of what life was like for the average guy on the internet in 2008. Cameron has the ability to paint a detailed realistic picture with just a few lines of text, and the end result feels genuine and relatable. His witty lyrics haven't worn out much, and are still as funny to this day (especially when you get the references). It's folk music, but the stories are delivered in a blunt unapologetic way, just like in old-school rap songs. "Outside" is also a satirical work, poking fun of current trends and ironically partaking in them.
The recording is mixed together so that the instruments sound warm and close to you. It feels as if Cameron is in your room, playing the guitar right next to you (he may even touch you). The ukulele is a great asset to the album, producing pleasing and percussive sounds. The only thing that isn't that nice is the musical saw that sometimes overwhelms the mix. For me, it wasn't really used in a musical way and got in the way of real instruments.
Track highlights
"I Am The Indie King" is a strong album opener with fervent melodic vocals and accordion accompaniment. The singing is sort of flat, but this does not take away from the music, but rather gives it character and an emotional charge. "Maybe I'll Go Outside" features beautiful vocal harmonies in Lydian mode, as well as an exotic steel drum to confuse the listener. It's the beginning of a healthy lifestyle.
"Mary" is such a charming serenade. It's catchy, romantic, straightforward, satirical, but also real! The song was inspired by a real girl that Cameron saw in a message board. "I swear I won't share! Not even with you" is a brilliant line following the request for nude pictures. After finishing the song, Cameron sent Mary the mp3 file, but unfortunately did not receive any nudes. "Zombilina" is another ballad dedicated to a real girl on MySpace. The lyrics are even more direct and a bit obscene to the point where you can hear Cameron really taking the piss with this one. Semi-jokingly, he's already so far up in his fantasy, and singing about "leaving this shitty town" with this girl he hasn't even talked to yet. Brilliant stuff! Too bad Zombilina ghosted him (that's a term that wasn't available in 2008). "I don't know how that makes you feel" followed by the final "I don't care how that makes you feel" is a perfect conclusion to this stalker's love song. Great harmonica work here, as well.
"Too Bad Pt. 3" is about unfulfilled wishes, but the music feels more like a traveling troubadour's theme, because of the groovy rhythm and adventurous melody of the ukulele and keyboard. "I Don't Really Like Rain" is another song that creates the impression of an epic trip to a country far away, through the dessert... mostly because of the walking bass on every 4 measures, and also the way the guitar riff is syncopated. The climax of the piece -- where vocals, organ, trumpets, guitars, saw, and percussions meet -- is like the glorious end of the adventure. In the epilogue, the harmonica joins in, and there's nothing else that would have sounded better at this moment! Another notable epic finale is the outro to "Recently Fallen In Love". I would've enjoyed for it to end on repeat and fade out, because it has that mood of the hero disappearing in the distance under the glaring light of the setting sun.
Rating: 7/10 kudos on MySpace
The witty humor, in combination with the catchy well-arranged music, render "Outside" a must-have for every indie-folk nerd. Drawing influences from artists like Warren Zevon, Phil Elverum, Zach Condon, and Tiny Tim, there is much to explore in this otherwise non-pretentious album.
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