Shame, Shame

Before securing my purchase of Shame, Shame, the fifth proper studio release from Philadelphia's Dr. Dog, I noticed a sticker on the cellophane that featured a Rolling Stone quote. Something about how Dr. Dog are a classic rock band who have created "a new sound" or something similarly confusing and hyperbolic. I bought the record regardless, immediately noticing how similar the album sounds when compared to the Dog’s back catalog. Sure, the production is a tinge cleaner than before and maybe the songs are a bit tighter, but, really, this is just another Dr. Dog record. It reminds of The Band and The Beatles, though never too much. The mood is smoky retro and sometimes carnival bounce-y, not unlike some of the more adventurous McCartney cuts from his early solo career (think Ram, for sure). 

Why the cleaner, tighter songs? Well, for the follow up to their breakthrough fourth record, the great Fate, the Dogs signed with Anti- Records, a sister label to Epitaph Records, making this likely the first time they recorded with an actual budget. And, of course, with a budget and big label expectations, you usually get some hired guns and louder shouts. The record, surprisingly mostly recorded outside the band’s self-built studio, was produced by Rob Schnapf and mastered by Greg Calbi, two indie rock legends who are arguable the best at what they do. Also, we get big-name guests, most notably My Morning Jacket’s Jim James and The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach. And you can certainly hear the perfection throughout, if only slightly. Mostly, I’d guess, the hired hands allowed the band to focus more on the playing and songs.

And so here we get some of the band’s best work to date, even if some of the material isn’t quite as immediate as they’re known for. The songs are noticeably more personal than their past work, with both frontmen - the raspy voiced Scott McMicken and indie range master Toby Leaman - flexing their emotional muscles. Opener “Stranger” is a new classic that hits immediately - setting a great mood for the goodness that follows. I could go over each song, comparing them to past Dog tracks or their many inspirations, but that seems a bore. By now, if you know Dr. Dog, you know what you’re getting - good lyrics, solid pop arrangements and lots of instantly memorable hooks.

And yes, memorable hooks matter, even when you’re attempting to make classic rock sound artsy. That Dr. Dog understand this so well is why they continue to make hugely successful (artistically speaking) records that get better as your repeat button wears down. These are songs from the 1960s, back when people didn’t listen to a record for only three days before moving on. Get to know Shame, Shame and you’ll surely feel the comfort of a new friend, dusty and strong, sweet and welcoming. Shame, Shame is the sound of a fully developed basement band slowly climbing the stairs, sounding strong as ever as they ponder what’s next.    8/10

Written by G. William Locke