Dr. Dog: Fate

Dr. Dog: Fate Perhaps no other band name has ever drawn more ire from me. Dr. Dog is possibly the worst name for a band ever. The Philadelphia-based psychedelic pop band has drawn comparisons to the Beach Boys, the Beatles, and the Band. On their fifth full length, they continue their acidic journey into the music of yesteryear. The album kicks off with "The Breeze" which starts off as a My Morning Jacket tune and becomes a Beach Boys song by the end. The song is littered with vocal and musical phrases that seem so familiar that you are instantly drawn into the music. The album's oddest tune is "The Ark" which is sounds like Spoon covering the Police. It's a little darker than the rest of the generally sunny pop album. In the end, Fate does not leave a very lasting impression on me. Dr. Dog has achieved a good amount of success, yet they still don't stand out in my mind. For my money, I'd rather listen to Band of Bees, Beulah, or Of Montreal for my fix of psychedelic pop. Rating: 7.6/10 MP3: Dr. Dog "Uncovering the Old" Buy: iTunes, Insound