Dr. Dog : Dr. Dog

Dr. Dog have been consistently putting out records for over 20 years now. The pop/rock/soul indie stalwarts from Philly started out as lo-fi, rough-around-the-edges rockers that combined soaring 4-part harmonies, Beach Boys earnestness, the Beatles knack for genre-hopping, and a touch of The Band for good measure. There was also touches of Pavement, Guided By Voices, and Yo La Tengo to satiate those thirsty college rock fans.

With the band’s 2010 album Shame Dr. Dog cleaned up the fidelity and made an earnest, thoughtful modern rock record. They combined their love of melodies and harmonies and 70s AM radio with a modern touch. It was the first record where Dr. Dog had seemed to find their voice as a band. From there each record got a little cleaner and their sonic footprint got a little bigger.

On the band’s newest album, the self-titled Dr. Dog, the Philly rock n soul band have made their most concise and thoughtful record since 2010. And with the addition of drummer Eric Slick’s songwriting it sounds like a new era for Dr. Dog.

Dr. Dog opens with one of the band’s best album openers in the jaunty, horn-heavy “Authority”. Scott McMicken’s voice floats over horns, farfisa organ, and a song that’s somewhere between the Raspberries, Sloan, and Brill Building pop heaven. “Lost Ones” sees co-singer/bassist Toby Leaman’s soulful vocals coming into exquisite focus. Bits of McCartney’s Wings comes through in the keys while the driving rhythm and bittersweet lean are all Dr. Dog. “Talk Is Cheap” opens on a thoughtful groove and it pulls you in with its rhythmic piano line and a soft rock breeze.

The highlight here is “Tell Your Friends”, a wonderfully sweet and bittersweet song written and sung by drummer Eric Slick. There’s a sweet innocence in Slick’s vocals that is almost child-like. The song is a plea to let those you know that you love them, even when you aren’t around them much anymore. The last line is simple and to the point, “Tell all your friends you love them, you don’t see them every day“. Slick is a wonderful addition to Dr. Dog’s songwriting team.

From “Still Can’t Believe” to “White Dove” to album closer and M. Ward collaboration “Love Struck”, Dr. Dog seems to be a new beginning for Dr. Dog. A wonderful LP filled with all the harmonies and melodic turns you’ve come to know and love, but with a newfound fresh take.