AWmusic

I have always heard of Dr. Dog on discussion forums with some members being some big fans. I never bothered to listen but when I had the chance to review Fate, it was my first time giving them a shot and I guess I should really listen to my peers more often.

I don’t want to get into why I hate the Pitchfork review so much but calling Dr. Dog viewing their influences more like an museum instead of inspiration is something that is meaningless and doesn’t really have much of a point. My response “Riiiiiight” (using my Dr. Evil voice).

The album starts off with “The Breeze” is a soft song and relaxes me as if I feel that slight breeze on a nice day. “Hang On” starts off with a small little piano riffs. The lyrics “Well, I don’t need no doctor, To tear me all apart, I just need you , To mend my heart” hilarious because of their name. It’s not so much a pop song as there are so many different musical elements but lyrically it’s structured that way. There’s quite a bit of experimentation and it’s more of an icing on the cake.

These tracks while enjoyable are less then stellar but it picks up with “The Old Days”, “The Army of Ancients” and “The Rabbit, The Bat and The Reindeer”. I must say the middle of the album is superb and it’s hard to honestly criticize that fact. Dr. Dog is Beastle-esque…capable of making that pop song with that extra bits on it to elevate it to the top. Tracks 3-11 are all excellent and from listening to album 10 times now, the only thing I would say is that the lyrics are a little rudimentary and don’t quite match up musically.

The vocals are switched on each other song, giving that Beatles feel. Both have quite a bit of range and talent as singers, it really gives it a dynamic a lot of bands don’t have. There is Wolf Parade but unlike WP, Dr. Dog’s singers are closer to styles then the latter.

Still, Fate is a kickass album. I’d definitely recommend it.

Rating: 4.25 out of 5

MP3: The Old Days by Dr. Dog

MP3: The Rabbit, the Bat and The Reindeer by Dr. Dog (removed by request)

MP3: My Friend by Dr. Dog (removed by request)

Buy this album at: CD Universe/Insound/Amazon

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