Today...I Shall Declare My Love of Dogs!
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Artist:
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Album:
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Track:
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.
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