For a full stream of “Be the Void,” visit http://teamcoco.com/drdog
Dr. Dog returned for their tenth year on the underground, psychedelic-rock scene and debuted their seventh album February 7, “Be the Void.” Dr. Dog has found their unique sound with a morph between folk and the 1960’s rock and their returning album showcases their talent throughout. The six member band has found their niche and self-produced the twelve track album, “Be the Void” that amplifies their individual genre.
“Be the Void” starts where their 2010 LP “Shame, Shame” left off. The band skims the water at being deep and meaningful in their lyrics and begins the album with “Lonesome” as one of the two vocalists, Toby Leaman, singing the folkish flowing anthem, “What does it take to be lonesome/ Nothin’ at all.” The new album brings the band back to their roots at shows an unleashed, loose, live feeling throughout the album. The guitars, drums, and harmonious “oohs” and “ahhs” are louder are greater. The band is known for their ever-tinkering sound and with the addition of drummer Eric Slick and multi-instrumentalist Dimitri Manos the newly improved, louder sound is harnessed into a melodious album.
The twelve track LP contains high points throughout, but especially with “That Old Black Hole,” “These Days,” and “How Long Must I Wait?” Lead guitarist and second vocalist Scott McMicken belts out “That Old Black Hole” and “How Long Must I Wait?” with his soprano, scratchy voice, while Leaman’s low, lustful sound sings “These Days.” The dynamic with having two opposite voices makes the band different and creates for an exciting album with two voices that can produce one unified sound. “Be the Void” features mostly serious songs, but provides some comic relief with McMicken shouting, “She’s a big girl now!” on the ninth track “Big Girl.” The band has not been known for being overly serious or emotional, but “Be the Void” makes up for its lacking with the gorgeous instrumentals and sound of the contrasting, yet harmonizing vocals.
“Be the Void” is a mash up of blues, folk, and rock ‘n roll that prevails into one cohesive album. If the band’s 2010 LP, “Shame, Shame” and 2005 album, “Fate” were to have a music love child, “Be the Void” would be it. Dr. Dog has only gotten better with the less organized and controlled they become. With more basement rocks and jams, the band delves deeper into their 1960’s rock ‘n roll roots producing a more raw and unforced sound.
