Dr. Dog, a Philadelphia-based band, released their fifth album Fate (2008) in late July on indie label Park the Van Records. Dr. Dog began it rise on the national scene when Jim James of My Morning Jacket picked them to open for his band in 2004 after someone slipped him a copy of one of their earlier independent label albums.
When describing Dr. Dog's sound one can't help but invoke musicians and bands of the past. After I got a copy of their album, We All Belong (2007), my usual sales pitch to friends was "it's like a stew consisting of David Bowie, Elton John, and The Band, but it sounds new,". I've read a lot of reviews of Fate and many have invoked The Beatles' Abbey Road and 1960s pop in their descriptions and while I don't think it's fair to compare the two, I understand why. Fate almost flows as one singular piece than a collection of eleven songs and some of the guitar riffs sound like George Harrison was playing on the album.
Dr. Dog fully excepts the comparions of "sounding and feeling old" with their promo depression-era pics for the album and constant references to all things old in their lyrics, but somehow they manage to sound new (at least to my ears anyways). I highly recommend this album. Check it out or reserve your copy today!
For more information on Dr. Dog check out the following:
Dr. Dog's Official Home Page
Dr. Dog's MySpace Page
"Hang On" from Dr. Dog's new album Fate