Album Review: Dr. Dog, Dr Dog

People really dig the whole Thoreau Walden stratagem of making art: the tortured artist walks away from the luxuries and temptations of the material world, to a desolate cabin in the wilderness, to dig deep into their creative well and produce a stellar masterpiece (sounds like a production weekend in Hot Press – Sub Ed).

In truth, however, Dr. Dog’s merry variance on that method looks a hell of a lot more fun. For the Philly quintet’s 11th album, they decamped to bassist Toby Leaman’s uncle’s cabin in the Pennsylvania woods, which – judging by the video to second single ‘Talk Is Cheap’ – was quite the caper.

Think The Band at Big Pink more than anguished soul searching. There were rules, but just loose ones – no rehearsal, no overdubs and recording live to an 8-track tape machine.

They recorded up-to two dozen songs, returned to their respective homes and began adding their own textures. After which, they all hooked up again at their Philadelphia studio to finalise the tracks and add their signature five-part harmonies.

Well, it is certainly a process that worked, producing sonic gold in the form of the magnificent surf-pop of ‘Fat Dog’ and woozy lounge ballad ‘What A Night’ll Do’.

Even drummer Eric Slick got in on the act with boss indie-folk cut ‘Tell Your Friends’, his first song on a Dr. Dog album.

Elsewhere, the country stomp of ‘Love Struck’ is infectious, whilst ‘Handyman’ is symbolic: Dr. Dog is a sterling psych-rock showcase.

8/10

Listen to Dr. Dog below: