Today...I Shall Declare My Love of Dogs!
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Artist:
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Album:
First for this one...
Caesar
then for this sweet one...
Molly
Mostly for music though, it's this one...
Dr. Dog
Dr. Dog has won over my heart, as every other dog in my life has.
Their latest album Fate, as said in an article from the man (Mr. Zoot) who introduced me to the phenomenal band is "the record Dr. Dog were destined to make, a timeless yet contemporary distillation of the band's open-armed, big-hearted sound taken to new heights of craft and creativity. Dr. Dog makes magic from an enduring pop palette of intricate harmonies, shape-shifting melodies, and ramshackle audio ingenuity - all presented through the band's slightly skewed and utterly individualistic outlook."
It's hard to come up with words to put it better than that.
From the opener "The Breeze" to the ending track "My Friend" they stimulate all your senses, with sometimes gentle-sometimes screeching guitar, perfectly timed piano/organ keys popping in, jazzy horns, strings, and oohing/ahhing in just the right places. Go ahead and add whatever else we should say about a well done album and it would fit right in...textures, layers, classic riffs, thoughtful intelligent lyrics...
My favorite tracks show the extreme vocals of a shouting singer expressing his passion for what he's saying. Initially, I wasn't sure about McMicken's quirky singing style (much like McCartney's endearing vocals) in a few tracks on the album ("The Old Days" "The Rabbit, the Bat, the Reindeer) they may not grab you right away, but one can't help but to be drawn to the sweet sounds and the album wouldn't feel right without them now. Subjects of love, life, death and faith circulate constantly in the album. Some of the lyrics woke me up with refreshing questions.
From "The Breeze"
"Is it the stillness that makes you shake?" "Do you like things the way they seem or are you looking behind the scenes?" "Are there darker parts to your mind?"
From "Hang On"
"Why you think we need 'Amazing Grace' to tell it like it is?"
From "The Rabbit, the Bat, the Reindeer"
"Should we pretend, that it's the end? Are you my curse, are you my friend?"
After they shake up your mind, they tell you "it's alright" and comfort is all restored with the ending track.
If that track alone doesn't get to you with the lyrics...
"I heard the good lords warning, like a nightmare forgot by the morning, with no more terrifying thoughts of dying"
...then you may need to pinch yourself, splash your face with some ice cold water or simply get yourself outside and have a quiet look up & around.
The beautiful lingering song makes you feel like you've just experienced something special, like an ending to a classic we all know and love. Just one reason why The Beatles, The Band and The Beach Boys keep arising among chatter about Dr. Dog. You've also probably heard their name among other notable favorites having opened The Strokes' 2006 tour in Detroit, Cleveland in the US, as well as a tour with The Raconteurs, and The Black Keys in the fall of '06. Last year they performed at Bonnaroo and opened some Wilco shows. Need we say more?
Get some more perspective into the ablum with this fascinating play by play interview style article at philebrity.com
And although I highly recommend just going straight out and purchasing this masterpiece of an album...every track is listed in album order on
And you should listen to the album as whole, to fully experience it's charm.
Thanks for checking out my favorite dogs.
Locating MOG account...
Comments (40)
I have heard the name, but never heard the music. This is good.......
you're my favorite bitch! you already know my thoughts on this record as we have already hashed it out.
great review sunnyD!
what about this dog?
The Breeze
Well, damn I'm trying to post a couple more tunes, but can't get them to play! Son of a gun (or bitch, since this post is about dogs)!
Rawk - Yeah...it's good! The rest is good too, wish I could get a couple more tracks in here.
Mike - You a-hole! First compare me to Amy Winehouse, now you say I'm your favorite dog! What's the matter with you?! That little wiener dog's a cutie! Is that why you always smell funny...the dog sleeps on your "clean" clothes...? hehe. Thank you for the compliment and picture! (I think.)
fine looking animals you got there
and a fine listening track as well
What's the matter with you?!
being an a-hole is one of my many issues. you should know that by now. ;) x 4
i forgot to say that even though both of your dogs are beautiful, molly seems especially beautiful. i think it is the deep brown coat.
seeing all of these hot dogs makes me want to hump a blanket or a leg.
Why thank you Will. Glad you enjoyed the listen. And that's a fine looking avatar you've got there!
Mike - Oh I do know you and your issues. ; ) But seriously enough is enough...are you saying my Molly is making you want to hump?! You're nuts! No really, everyone always says how pretty Molly is. You're absolutely right, she's a real sweetie too. (...she takes after me)
i suppose i should stop typing so i don't get myself in more trouble then i already am in.
..and yes, i am nuts.
Haha! I'm sorry...I can't help but to mess with you, you make it so easy. ; )
har har, laugh it up. you should be ashamed of yourself for picking on me. i am a very sensitive man with many issues.
MOLLY is too cute...
Molly is my favorite too.
~Roxy
Alright you two - wrap it up... I've had enough of your squabbles - Mike - you're an ahole - sunny - you're my dog bitch girl...
I couldn't love you more if I tried... & now after the bliss of listening to 80 songs by Jellyfish.. I will go HUNT down Dr. Dog & ruff it up for you both !!!
LOVE YOU TWO TERRIBLY !!!
by the by... Molly & Caesar are gorgeous !!!
looking forward to picking this record up,
and taking it out to the backyard to chew on for a while.
and doggone it, that song "the beach" you posted is just fantastic.
thanks for the musical treats!
wow Sunny, you make me wanna run out and find this now! but I suppose it will have to wait 'till daylight...
Chance bids them other canines and namesakes a hidey-ho!
I wanted to name our younger dog Chance as well...you get the idea??
oh, and Mike, the reason that weiner is hiding in the dryer? he's afraid Tobias Tiberius will kick bite his ass!
Myself & Tiny
(No, I'm not gay.)
Regarding the band, another cool review and I dig the White Album-esque McCartneyness of the tune.
Also, you said:
Some of the lyrics woke me up with refreshing questions.
I say: yes, but what are the answers? Here's my attempts...
"Is it the stillness that makes you shake?" "Do you like things the way they seem or are you looking behind the scenes?" "Are there darker parts to your mind?"
No, it's the freezing cold Irish summer/ I look behind the scenes, but not right now 'cos I'm eating a yoghurt/No, I really am this shallow.
"Why you think we need ‘Amazing Grace’ to tell it like it is?"
Uh...can you repeat the question, please?
"Should we pretend, that it's the end? Are you my curse, are you my friend?"
I am your curse AND your friend.
Good golly Miss Molly is getting all the attn from Charley & Roxy! Thanks ladies!
Lizzie - You're too much! You know the love is double fold after this dog eat dog post!! Much terrible love to you! Oh and, I do hope this post doesn't affect your allergies! Maybe we should hang out across town just to be safe! ; )
Hi Slynk - Happy to throw you this treat of music! After you chew on the album, please come and tell how digested. (Uh...this doggie talk is gettin' a little hairy, sorry) Thank you for listening and the comment. Welcome to MOG too, by the way!
Scott! Well, now it's daylight but didja see I tossed the ball over to their myspace? Hope you were able to scratch your itch there at least till dawn! Molly & Caesar give a nice tush sniff back Chance and Tobias! What aborable pic's! This post is creating a lot of smiles I'm sure!
Colin - Hahahah! Aw...that picture is so sweet!
"White Album-esque McCartneyness"...Nice one!
Okay my curse of a shallow friend, why would yogart prevent you from looking the behind the scenes...maybe you need a gogurt if it's holding you back from seeking the truth. I don't know...
Scott. Tobias is a sweet dog! Lady would be chicken of him for sure.
Colin. I love the glasses. So cute, i love when dogs dress up their humans.
SunnyD. :P
love this post. thanks!
Well, late to the game on this one(been workin' like a dawg this week) but yer doggies are cute! And I'm diggin' Dr. Dog(although I must say I'm not too keen on the band name for some reason). Great review Helen. Hadn't heard of them before. I'll have to check them out further.
i'm with you august...bad band name, bad. (said as if i was talking to a dog)
Yea Mike, the name has too much of a hippie vibe to it for me. It's just too goofy of a name to be taken seriously. . .(then again, maybe that's what they are aiming for).
why are you so anti hippie? hippies love you everyone. they just want everyone to live in harmony and bad b.o.
So you guys aren't jiving with the band name...hum. I think of Dr. & Dog...both (usually) make you feel better, add some music and there's a lot of happiness going on there. Although the name reminds me of a cartoon character. I don't think hippie when I hear it, but hippie is fine with me. Better than yuppie at least.
And Wouldja look at that above!!! It's the very first comment on my mog (ever) from the David Hyman. WooWho!
*Helen* exactly, I agree, their name reminds me of a cartoon character. Hippie is far better than yuppie anyday. And dogs don't make me feel better since I'm allergic to them! Also my landlord has 2 dogs, a stupid, spoiled mutt that they didn't train when young so it barks at nothing & is generally obnoxious(don't ask me what kind it is, but it's a small dog), so I'm not too keen on dogs anyway. They also have a lab who will bark when left outside alone. Grrrrr! Then again, their humans are inconsiderate, clueless & undisciplined so what would you expect?
*Mike* I'm not anti-hippie as long as they aren't smelly! I'm into natural foods & the more natural way of living, I'm just not into all the hippy vibe music/names/etc. I guess I don't subscribe to any one way of life ya know.
Your last sentence is right...the landlord is "a stupid, spoiled mutt that [the parents] didn't train when young" problems with dogs are all because of their owners...with the exceptions of allergies of course. ; ) Mine are positively perfect cause they have great humans! : P haha.
nice review of Dr. Dog. There are many, many "rabid" fans out there and Dr. Dog is finally getting the recognition they so humbly deserve. One just has to seriously listen to all of their music, and stop pigeon-holing them into past band sounds. They are Dr. Dog....and they have great writing, harmony, and presence on stage. They are so different and good and have not done anything to sound like...or please anyone or be pretentious.... or cater to....but themselves/their laid-back attitude toward it all, and put on good shows for their friends and fans. Just enjoy their sound without comparisons and criticism... You either enjoy them or not... Most enjoy their "stick in your head" songs and sound...
Haha, oh my Helen, you rephrased that perfectly, good one! Of course your dogs are 'perfect', look at you @;P! Do you think you could upload this album on the dark side so I could hear it? I'd greatly appreciate it. That song reminds me of Wilco & Spoon quite a bit, which is quite compliment in my book.
check out the video of "The Breeze" on youtube that was posted that shows a clip from "Life Aquatic". It's really cool. the song goes perfect with that movie clip.
Thanks for the words cat-s. Well...if you feel that the comparisons or associations being brought up with past band sounds, doesn't adequately reflect the sound of Dr. Dog, then I suppose it would be pigeon holing. But bands have surely drawn inspirations from what they've been surrounded by, even if they do it unknowingly. I think it's just human nature to bring up positive associations for people to understand and relate to, even if the hints of others' music is slight. And these comparisons are by no means negative ones, so hopefully the Dr. Dog crew wouldn't be offended.
And thanks for the tip on "The Breeze/Life Aquatic" that was pretty neat.
August - Hehe. Glad you like my creative use of your words. There's a clue in this post to point you in the right direction...and I put out some crumbs for you as well Hanzel. ; )
I agree.. It is so nice to hear your words. Some people think that their past influences are one way to discount their sound/writing. I agree with you. All musicians/artists have to draw from the past greats.. and, in music?? Who were the very first/great changers of music? The Beatles/the 60's-70's... hard for very young people to understand that without their barve attitudes and risk-taking, we'd wtill be listening to Elvis and country music in the US.. I am so glad you liked "The Breeze" video. 90% of the Dr. Dog fans have still only heard very few of the "Fate" tracks and every song is sooo good, especially if one listens to the whole c.d. in its entirety to hear the cool flow and changes and sounds, etc. between tracks. We all love it so much and we were "rabid", "We all Belong" listeners... but, still, NOTHING beats seeing them live. Must do, and ask them to play "Wake Up" as their last song... You'll see why. It's hysterical/amazing....audience participation????
You mean I'm gonna have to go back & REREAD you're post to find the clue? Geezus, you don't make it very easy on a bloke ya know?! hehe(I found their myspace page already & listening now, thanks. Just had to give ya some shit though, hee hee)
Wow, the song "The Old Days" is reminding me alot of The Flaming Lips, especially the vocal. These guys are really great, I'm liking the other songs I'm hearing too. Can't believe you've been hiding these guys from us! Good shit Gretel, thanks!
Wow Helen. This is very good. Looking at the band name, I would have never guessed that they'd sound like this.
Nice one, lady!
Adorable dogs as well :)
And Fluxy, your comment had me laughing for at least 5 minutes, I was feeling very gay by the end. Har har!
Hey woman! ...cool that you like it! I can't really stress enough how amazing the album is all together.
We're so lucky to have Fluxy around to entertain us with his antics aren't we...? ::::leaning in to whisper::::
~between you and me, I'm not convinced that this Jill character isn't just his sister occupying space for his reviews and he's just naming her "The GF" cause he's not comfortable coming out of the closet yet, hey you never know this day in age~ ; ) ; )
ahahhaahhaahhaha
His sister at best. I think she's Richie's gf. Oh the e-conspiracy!
;)
my dog hates me, but despite what you might think, i did not put that hat on her. i have been to 2 dr. dog shows incedentally / accidentally, and they are such a great live band to catch, but i just never bothered to listen to any of their albums. that said, this new album is fantastic and i am changing my ways. this is a really good/ funny post and the comments just make it funnier
Aw!!! She definitely looks pretty pissed! hahah! I'm jealous...Dr. Dog didn't include Florida in their upcoming tour damnit! : ( Hopefully, they'll come around someday...sigh.