Tired of lamenting the split from a significant other locked in a dark room with Bright Eyes on repeat? Ready to turn that pain into a joyous singalong outside under the bright sun? Lucky for you, Arizona's the Format -- barely appearing phased at being dropped by Atlantic in 2005 -- have arrived with their self-released sophomore full-length, Dog Problems. Sure the album is mostly about singer Nate Ruess' most recent breakup and subsequent broken heart, but seriously, it's hands-down the feel-good album of the summer. After all, the heartache-induced lyrics of sarcasm and bitterness are in direct contrast to the sonic warmth emanating from every note-filled corner. Deftly elaborating on the sweet indie pop affair of 2003's Interventions and Lullabies, the guys have moved past straightforward ditties to craft songs that incorporate a wide range of instruments, tones, and occasionally, full-on orchestrations. "Time Bomb" immediately launches forth with exuberant vocal harmonies before the key-dancing chorus boogies to the front; the ironically catchy "The Compromise" -- which is the defiant result of Atlantic asking for a pop hit -- can be called radio-friendly in the best sense of the term. From a whimsical, carnival-esque air that appears sporadically throughout, the Format mix in horn sections, piano, banjo, handclaps and pretty much whatever else was lying around the studio when recording commenced. But every element is cleanly pulled off with such effortless charm, grace, and style that the songs in no way feel bogged down under the weight of the bands' ambition. The music never sounds forced or like the band is simply trying to be different through gimmicks; they've just matured into a new skin that fits as delightfully as their old. The Format were already showing obvious signs of being unable to write a bad song on Lullabies, but Dog Problems simply glows from beginning to end. It's like the music (both the gentle songs and high-energy ones) just can't help being fun and catchy, even if for some reason it didn't want to. The Format skirts cheesiness and cliché trappings by simply knowing how to make likable pop music that is entertaining and smart -- and they've absolutely never sounded better.
It has been a good six months since I first heard of the Format. I stumbled upon a review of their new album, "Dog Problems", and I was intrigued. I read review after review, and they all said that Dog Problems was one of the best albums they had heard in a while. I went and bought it, and I was definitely not disappointed. This album is one of my favorites of 2006 [and trust me, that is a very...
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the best song i've heard in a long time: "Dog Problems" by the Format. it makes me smile. and that can't be bad. plus, it mixes up genres into this vast musical storyline, which is always a good time. the entire album is just good, fun pop music. plus, its lyrically sound. (and some of you have forgotten what pop music is. pop doesn't mean radio, there's a huge difference. there's lots of goodn...
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I've become addicted to this band over the last few weeks, another accidental discovery.And... I've set up an interview with the band on Wednesday - any questions?
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It's 6:30 a.m.I plug my iPod in to update with the latest tracks added to my collection.I get the message "iTunes has detected a corrupt iPod. Restore your iPod to repair the fault."Which means I have to wipe my iPod and reload EVERYthing.It's an 80 GB iPod. I have 13,000 tracks. This could take a long time.
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It has Josh Klinghoffer on guitar. And it's a track to bounce around to.
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If there isn't already a Genre of Spring Time Tunes, or Summer Sundays, there should be. This band manages to capture the best of spring and the slow of summer evening. The songs are lullabies, slow and sweet, with rock sprinkles. The album flows with ease; you wont find yourself stopping it midway, even on your first listen.On the album, the band choses to put a new version of a song from a pr...
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You know when people tell you to take a chill pill, this new album from The Format is exactly that, a chill pill. 12 melodious tracks that feature groovin piano lines, sweet lyrics and totally tubular build. I recommend that you visit your local music shop, pick this album up and give a listen while you're positioned comfortably on your couch, perhaps with a significant other (or a video game...
More >
I can't get enough of this song. The article about The Format in the new AP magazine was enough to make me go back and read the last 2 or 3 that I'd just thrown in the floor, too uninspired to read. TF gets me excited about music again. I can't believe I was going to skip this tour (especially since I'm one of the lucky few shows to get Steel Train, who I've been digging on for a while). I've g...
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I spoken of The Format on several occasions and I still can’t explain exactly what I like about them musically. The Format were grabbed by not one, but two different major labels and hailed as the next big thing, only to have their music dictated by bean counters, their album sales suffer, and then be dropped by said major labels. This lead the Format to give the entire label business the finge.
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God... I've had a week of being cruel to be kind when it comes to animals...From the sadness of Wednesday, to the ridiculousness of today...Meet Snoop Doggy Dog, my basset hound with a grazed chin after he tripped over his ears,and thus now has to wear a cone to stop him scratching and making it worse. Poor little guy, a big dog on short legs... the only cone that would fit is one that picks up...
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It's been a while. But I figured I'd come back and share a bit.I've been stuck on The Format lately. It's good stuff. Listen.There's also been lots of John Frusciante, Nick Drake, and Camera Obscura. Anyway.
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It's 6:30 a.m.I plug my iPod in to update with the latest tracks added to my collection.I get the message "iTunes has detected a corrupt iPod. Restore your iPod to repair the fault."Which means I have to wipe my iPod and reload EVERYthing.It's an 80 GB iPod. I have 13,000 tracks. This could take a long time.
More >
I've become addicted to this band over the last few weeks, another accidental discovery.And... I've set up an interview with the band on Wednesday - any questions?
More >
It has Josh Klinghoffer on guitar. And it's a track to bounce around to.
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Indie pop/rock band The Format is celebrating the one year anniversary of their impeccable album Dog Problems by doing the unthinkable: giving it away for free.CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOADYou have to enter your e-mail address for a mailing list, but this album is totally worth it. Dog Problems was one of my favorite albums of 2006. If you haven't heard this album, do yourself a favor and download i...
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If there isn't already a Genre of Spring Time Tunes, or Summer Sundays, there should be. This band manages to capture the best of spring and the slow of summer evening. The songs are lullabies, slow and sweet, with rock sprinkles. The album flows with ease; you wont find yourself stopping it midway, even on your first listen.On the album, the band choses to put a new version of a song from a pr...
More >
I can't get enough of this song. The article about The Format in the new AP magazine was enough to make me go back and read the last 2 or 3 that I'd just thrown in the floor, too uninspired to read. TF gets me excited about music again. I can't believe I was going to skip this tour (especially since I'm one of the lucky few shows to get Steel Train, who I've been digging on for a while). I've g...
More >
It has been a good six months since I first heard of the Format. I stumbled upon a review of their new album, "Dog Problems", and I was intrigued. I read review after review, and they all said that Dog Problems was one of the best albums they had heard in a while. I went and bought it, and I was definitely not disappointed. This album is one of my favorites of 2006 [and trust me, that is a very...
More >
the best song i've heard in a long time: "Dog Problems" by the Format. it makes me smile. and that can't be bad. plus, it mixes up genres into this vast musical storyline, which is always a good time. the entire album is just good, fun pop music. plus, its lyrically sound. (and some of you have forgotten what pop music is. pop doesn't mean radio, there's a huge difference. there's lots of goodn...
More >
You know when people tell you to take a chill pill, this new album from The Format is exactly that, a chill pill. 12 melodious tracks that feature groovin piano lines, sweet lyrics and totally tubular build. I recommend that you visit your local music shop, pick this album up and give a listen while you're positioned comfortably on your couch, perhaps with a significant other (or a video game...
More >
| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Matches |
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| 2 I'm Actual |
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| 3 Time Bomb |
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| 4 She Doesn't Get It |
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| 5 Pick Me Up |
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| 6 Dog Problems |
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| 7 Oceans |
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| 8 Dead End |
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| 9 Snails |
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| 10 The Compromise |
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| 11 Inches and Falling |
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| 12 If Work Permits |
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Click to purchase…
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
 "Dog Problems")
