Category:
Rock

Try if you like:
Built To Spill, Generationals, Morning Benders, Mother Hips, The Walkmen

Poignant, hook driven, psychedelic rock tunes have defined a Dr. Dog album over the past decade. While 2008’s Fate felt heavily steeped in late 60’s retro rock nostalgia, 2010’s slickly produced Shame, Shame marked somewhat of a turning point. Dr. Dog’s latest, Be The Void takes that progression a step further.

 

The sweet backing harmonies are intact, the odd sampling of effects and the joyous heartfelt quality of their songwriting remains but the extent to which they borrow elements from other genres is taken to a whole new level here. 'Lonesome' and 'Turning The Century' wallow in the kind of bluesy twang you’d picture being jammed out on some bayou back porch. 'Vampire' wouldn’t feel out of place in the Bowie songbook circa ‘79, and 'These Days' borrows the kind of frenzy akin to early '80s new wave. Dr. Dog traditionalists won’t be disappointed either, though. 'Warrior Man', saturated with distorted guitars over organ and a full chorus of Beatles-esque backing vocals is the classic kind of psychedelia, taken to a new extreme here, that fans will revel in.

 

Be The Void possesses the raw, raucous sound that marked their earlier recordings combined with the aura of a live event. Extended guitar solos and vocal-to-instrument levels often feel a little off and too ramshackle to believe it’s not intentional. But that dirty, unrehearsed quality just convinces you more of their legitimacy as a genuine live rock band. Maybe now Dr. Dog will finally get their due.