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The rain stayed just east of the downtown, lightning flashing in the cloud line. Everyone was a little nervous about the weather. In fact, security joked that the show was cancelled. Maybe just kidding, but with lightning in the area, I would guess Stubb’s would have to shut down. Good thing the show went on, it was well worth the price of admission and brief delay. On to the review after the jump.’
| Date | 11/12/10 |
|---|---|
| Location | Stubbs |
| Doors | 7:30pm |
| Tickets | $20 @ Frontgate |
To this local music writer, it seems like Dr. Dog and Here We Go Magic should just move to Austin with how much they love playing here. Seriously, doesn’t it seem like both these bands were JUST here? Regardless, you’ve got another chance to catch both of these bands in the live setting at Stubbs on Friday night. Both are most definitely worth the price of admission.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/drdog3.mp3]Download: Dr. Dog – Stranger [MP3]
| Date | 5/1/10 |
|---|---|
| Location | Emos |
| Doors | 9pm |
| Tickets | $18 @ Ticketweb |
Seems like Dr. Dog mine as well just move to Austin huh? It sort of seems that way with all the shows they keep playing in our little town. This time they’re at Emos along with fellow ATH favorite Deer Tick. Should be your best show option for Saturday night.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/deertick20miles1.mp3]Download: Deer Tick – 20 Miles [MP3]
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Since the beginning of 2000 some form of Dr. Dog has been out there, living it up, and making music. It’s strange, but through it all, the band have managed to always sound like they did in the onset of their fame, yet, slight touches influence each record, giving each album a diverse position within the band’s catalogue. Shame Shame, the band’s latest, is indeed, much like the last few, built on classic rock, like The Band, and fresh fun.
We begin our new journey with the band by listening to “Stranger.” It’s an odd choice for an opening piece, as there’s no definitive album statement here; it seems more like a carry over from the last record, Fate. You probably won’t hate this song, but it just encourages the idea that the band have replaced some of their tenacity with slick production. But, “Shadow People” changes the album for the better. Vocals come off like a young Wayne Coyne (this is the first notice of this for me), and gentle strumming is accompanied by piano. As the song furthers itself, you’re introduced to group harmonies, always one of the band’s specialties, along with a bit of a pick me up. This would have been a more appropriate opener.
One thing that hurts a lot of this record (just an opinion) is that the group sound really professional throughout. Yes, that’s not necessarily a bad thing by any means, but the restraint on songs such as “Where’d All the Time Go” removes a lot of the youthful exuberance the band portrayed (and do in the live setting). Where once trading vocal parts between singers Leaman and McMicken always lit the songs afire, here they just seem far too casual. Perhaps that’s the one drawback on Shame Shame; the band have gotten so good at what they do, that a bit of the spirit has been lost on the side of the road during some endless Spring tour.
Don’t mistake this criticism for entire disappointment, for there is plenty left to enjoy. “Later” with its driving piano shows a bit of a new approach for the group. While there is a bit of instrumental tinkering in the song, you sort of wait for the band to let go entirely, which doesn’t happen, except for the vocals, their most powerful appearance on the record. It’d be interesting to see if the band could ever let loose with their recorded material.
Dr. Dog do tamper a bit with their songwriting approach throughout Shame Shame. “I Only Wear Blue” is mostly a vocal performance for the opening minute or so, just before the band jumps in to encourage a bit of fun. Even the lyrics say “let’s get on with it,” suggesting that on some level, the band knows it’s best when they’re pushing themselves, and their listeners. But, for all the experimenting you find, the band always seem to resort to their old tricks.
The past several years have been really good for Dr. Dog, and one would hope that Shame Shame would only further their rise in the music world. Instead, they’ve crafted an album full of really enjoyable songs, but songs that don’t ever seem to truly take off from a rigorous recording plan one might set up in the studio. New Dr. Dog tunes are never bad, but at the same time, it seems like we’re at a standstill, waiting for something to change, if only to remind us why we loved this group so much in the beginning.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/drdog3.mp3]Download: Dr. Dog – Stranger [MP3]
The band will be in Austin on May 1st at Emos.
Personally, the new Dr. Dog really has me on edge. Sure, they’re not necessarily indie darlings anymore, but I’m really looking forward to the release of Shame, Shame, which hits stores April 6th. Here’s another new track off their latest effort. You can welcome the boys to Austin in May @ Emos as they come our way to support their new album, that’s if you don’t catch them at SXSW.
Download: Dr. Dog – Stranger [MP3]
One of our long time favorite bands Dr. Dog have returned in 2010 with a new album entitled Shame, Shame. Check out the new song “Shadow People” from Shame, Shame, which is slated for an April 6th release date. Sounds like they’ll be picking up right where they left off with Fate. I’m cool with that. (via Da Gum)
Download: Dr Dog – Shadow People [MP3]
So just as I did last year, I’m going to take a minute to be a negative nancy and focus on some of the downer moments of our ACL weekend. As always, the positives greatly outweigh the negatives and I still enjoyed my festival experience (no matter how much it rained). You’ll notice that most of my list consists of things that no one can really do anything about so that leaves me hopeful that next year will be near perfection. I’m willing to bet that you can guess my #1 & #2 slots, but damnit if that weather wasn’t the worst I can ever remember. Yes it may even top the 107 degree heat and the dust from hell. So follow the jump for my bottom 5 of ACL 2009.
It’s that time of year again and the free sampler from the small indie labels continue to roll in. This one from Park the Van is super rad because it features this sweet song from The Spinto Band that I just can’t get enough of. This rather lagre sampler features 13 tracks from Spinto Band, Dr. Dog, Generationals and a whole bunch of others. Get your hand on it now.
Download: Spinto Band – Jackhammer [MP3]
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A slew of records into his career and Eric D. Johnson returns with his outfit Fruit Bats to release The Ruminant Band on Sub Pop. Splitting time between Chicago and Portland, you can really feel the regional influences shine through on this album, filled with the wooded folk one would expect from the Northwest mixed with the quality production and warmth you’d find from like-minded bands in the Midwest.
Opening the album with a gentle folk number that rolls through the hills of your mind is where you first meet the voice of Eric D. Johnson. As his voices rises and falls with the gentle acoustic work of the guitar, you will find yourself falling in love with him. When “The Ruminant Band” takes over the stereo from here, Johnson’s voice takes you somewhere entirely close to home, echoing with familiarity. It’s one of the gentlest songs of the year, but one that definitely should make plenty of lists at the end of the year.
As energized as the album begins, or at least as far as one can go with this style of music, it begins to take a softer slide into the latter half of the album. “Beautiful Morning Light” recalls a touch, and only a touch, of Wilco. The acoustic number is carried by the perfect range that is Johnson’s voice, which seems to be the dominating theme on the album. It’s hard not to admire the vocal quality here when so many other bands are coating their lyrics and feedback and reverb.
“The Hobo Girl” is a mid-album stomper, in the midst of the softer side of things, that immediately recalls recent work from Dr. Dog, which is due to the saloon-style piano that serves as the backbone of the song. The song even features flourishes of barroom discussion included to give a little texture. Not sure why it’s necessary, but it makes it hard to get away from resemblances. “Being On Our Own” is another song in the same vein as the previous one, but done with a little bit more of a Southern flourish to the vocals. Set here in the middle of the album they provide the perfect pacing balance for the whole of the album.
The understated highlight of the album definitely has to be “Singing Joy to the World.” Every instrument merely exists to bring out the melody and inflection in Eric’s voice, and it’s short time span makes it go along almost unnoticeable in comparison to the rest of the record. Be sure not to miss this song, as you’ll be sore once you discover it’s the secret gem of the record.
Musically, The Ruminant Band is not full of anything that particularly jumps out at you as incredible feats of musicianship, yet the strengths of the group lie in that fact. Every song exists as a tool to help Johnson’s voice succeed in the ears of the listener, and in that fact, the Fruit Bats have done an exceptional job carrying out a wonderful album.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/08-singing-joy-to-the-world.mp3]Download: Fruit Bats – Singing Joy to the World [MP3]
Fruit Bats will be playing in Austin September 2nd at the Mohawk.
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New Orleans duo, Generationals, seem to have flown beneath the radar for quite some time, that is until Park the Van Records, home to Dr. Dog, decided to release their album Con Law. The record crosses various rivers of genre, yet always staying familiar in the listener’s ear. Here we have a complete album of pop celebration that will surely tide us over for the rest of the summer.
When “Nobody Could Change Your Mind” begins, the tinkering of electronic keyboard makes it seem like just any other neo-electroni-pop album, but then the horns kick in, stepping the album out of a purely cliche realm of music. Vocals here have a bit of an echo, which may give them a lo-fi title, but the band is nowhere near that mark.
“Angry Charlie” switches gears, and recalls the best moments of MGMT, although if you listen to this on repeat several times you will see that the usage of the organ and bounding percussion give it an entirely different light, moving the band beyond their peers. Yet, this group immediately allows for the staleness of such styles to veer in different directions. The half-hearted stomp of “Faces in the Dark” demonstrate that the band is far more than a one trick pony; they have a barrage of approaches in the writing of Con Law, allowing for the album to take on a more long-standing importance for fans.
By the time you meet the mid-section of this record, you start to wonder exactly why you hadn’t heard anything about this band up until this point in time. “”When they Fight, They Fight,” and “Our Time (2 Shine)” are both solid tracks that exemplify just how special a listening experience this will be. Both songs hold tightly to some really great hooks, while still paying homage to classic beach sounds. They might take a slight misstep from here with “Wildlife Sculpture,” as it’s one of the very few songs that doesn’t immediately make you want to press repeat on your player, whatever format.
Just as the album seems as if it will stay with electronic flourishes, “Exterior Street Date” sweeps in with ringing guitars. The vocals will take the key role for the majority of the song here, but the subtlety of the chorus somehow manages to stick inside your head. This duo is the key of under-spoken pop gems, accessible and discernible, only for those with careful ears. Following this comes “It Keeps You Up” with its bouncing piano work and vocals that appear to be sung by a mass group of fans, though it’s just one voice. Such care went into the patchwork of these songs that it’s no wonder you find yourself listening to them again and again. And such is the story of the album, you find yourself rushing back and forth to play that track over and over, wondering to yourself if it really was that good. The answer for the songs, and the album is yes!
Generationals play at Stubbs Indoors on August 6th.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/02-angry-charlie.mp3]Download: Generationals – Angry Charlie [MP3]
