Dr. Dog - The Rabbit, The Bat & The Reindeer Album: Fate [2008]
the philadelphia-based dr. dog are pop oddballs who blend unapologetic '60s pop worship with lo-fi recording techniques and an apparent disregard for current trends. the group began as a part-time offshoot of the more traditional indie rock act "racoon", and over the course of several years, became dr. dog and self-released two albums (including 35-song album, "pyschedelic swamp). when their friend, my morning jacket's jim james, hand-picked them open for his band on an east coast tour, the band's almost nonexistent national profile began to rise. dr. dog have been steadily refining their sound since the unexpected success of 2005's "easy beat", and "fate" continued that trend. they've still got all the right classic rock moves, clever production ideas, and the ragged-but-right vocals and bouncy, highly melodic bass of toby leaman and scott mcmicken's tough guitar and sweet vocals. "fate" contains some really nice string and horn arrangements and a bit more utilization of studio production. like "easy beat", the album is simply overflowing with the sheer joy of making music. the songs are not just catchy and well-written (to the point of sounding familiar upon first listen), they seem completely effortless and are delivered with the same sort of freshness and enthusiasm as the beatles' apple records rooftop concert. the beatles comparisons don't end there, as much of the work draws influence from george harrison and paul mccartney. there are also echoes of the band in the piano and organ work, and the beach boys in the vocal harmonies. along with the sense that they just seem to do what feels right, they've got a penchant for harmony vocals and complete command of the shoo-wop/doot-doot/doo-wah backing vocal lexicon, in addition to two different-sounding and complementary guitarists. 2010's "shame" proved to be yet another thoroughly enjoyable album from this fantastic band.
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