Album Review: Shame, Shame
I didn’t think it was possible for the new Dr. Dog album, Shame, Shame, to even compare to their previous release, Fate; I could not have been more wrong. Shame, Shame is every bit as impressive as Fate but advances the band to that short list of artists who improve with each subsequent record. Every song that Dr. Dog produces belongs in different genre of music, making it nearly impossible to categorize most of their catalog. The first track on Shame, Shame is “Stranger,” a perfect opener on an album that contains virtually no filler. The record is a near perfect listen to from start to finish. “Unbearable Why” is a standout that raises the intensity to one of the album’s several peaks. The soundscapes heard throughout Shame, Shame, including loads of noise and sound effects, give it a unique vibe. “Where’d All The Time Go,” for example, ends rather abruptly but lingers with a couple seconds of chill-inducing white noise; it reminded me of the Beatles’ “I Want You (She’s So Heavy).”
The vocal and guitar harmonies are the most impressive aspect about the album and are well crafted throughout each song, especially with “I Only Wear Blue.” Although it’s difficult to pick a favorite track off this, or any, Dr. Dog album, “Mirror, Mirror” has an outro that surprises by ending at the climax of the song. It just works. And the pacing of the album is impressive. The mood settles back down with “Jackie Wants A Black Eye,” which features infectious clapping throughout. The last song on each Dr. Dog release is usually a standout track that leads fans to repeat listens. The closing and title track, “Shame, Shame,” follows suit on the new release. The album is no doubt one of my early favorites so far in 2010. I couldn’t anticipate a live performance more than the Dr. Dog show in Philly on May 13th.
