Album Reviews

Dr. Dog Be The Void

Philadelphia band, Dr. Dog, released their sixth album, Be The Void, the first week of February through ANTI-Records.

Their previous albums have had a more orchestrated pop sound than this release.  The guitars are louder and full of an American soul feeling.  It seems to be a step back to their previous, care-free, risk taking side.

This album has 12 tracks, each deserving to be listened to more than once to better catch the understated distinction of sound.  Be the Void has several genre shifts.  The guitars are heavy and the repetitive rifts and chorus get stuck in your head.

This group is high energy, while all of the members can put on a good show, vocalists Scott McMicken, also on guitar, and Toby Leaman, who plays bass, are entertaining on stage.  I had the pleasure of going to a free show of theirs in 2011 when they were playing songs from Shame Shame and I can imagine that this 2012 tour will be just as rowdy.

Photo Courtesy: Sup3r_Fudg3 (flickr)

Most of the jams on this album start slow, and calm, the shift is not sudden, but the next thing you know the track ends with a boisterous high note. "These Days" is a good example of that.  

The single “Old Black Hole” incorporates many instruments.  It has a creole, zydeco sound with djembe opening the song.   It seems out of control, but methodical at the same time.

The keys used in “How Long Must I Wait” are similar to the music Dr. Dog made on their 2008 album Fame.  It reminded me of "Army of Anchients."

During “Warrior Man” I kept waiting for the lyrics to take a deeper, political environmental turn, I knew something controversial was going to come of it.   But it never did.  He repeats, “I invented the computer, man, hubcaps and soda cans.” It is futuristic rock.

This is a beef that some listeners have with this group, their lyrics seem to be on the verge of greatness, yet never amount to something profound.  While on the other side of that, some fans prefer that about them.  The music is fun, and easy to listen to.  It doesn’t have to be infinitely complex.

Something Dr. Dog has always been good at doing is taking listeners on a musical journey.  Enjoy the calming notes and croons of this group, and see them live when you get the chance.

Photo Courtesy: Rock Cousteau (Flickr)

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