London based Indie 5 piece, Dogs, released their limited edition EP on the 31st May and it is a cracker. Since originally forming in 2004, Dogs were signed to Island Records and released 2 albums under the label, which each received critical acclaim.
Now with a couple of line up changes and without a label to fund their activities, Dogs bring a very DIY spirit to their music and take great pride in this, which duly shows in the quality of the 'We Are The Dogs' EP.
Paul Weller is one admirer amongst the army of fans which the group have collected, during their time as a group. Hard work and determination is what drives the group and keeps them making their deep, brooding indie tunes today.
The fact that Dogs, (although with a slightly different line up) have past experience in recording albums and working under a big label really does show in this EP, musically it is absolutely top notch, with lead guitarist Rikki Mehta playing huge hooks and loops and rhythm guitarist Kevin Iverson, backing Rikki’s sound up, creating as a pair a huge, intricate display of hard hitting guitar rhythms and technical riffs which quite simply astound. The percussion and bass from Paul Warren and Duncan Timms is equally as impressive, setting the high tempo and raising the ambience and volume even higher. The 4 musicians together produce an awesome sound, technical, loud and warm; it is melodic, tense and lifts each track progressively throughout the EP.
I reviewed Dogs live a few weeks ago and although I was blown away by the quality of the musicians in the group and how tight they played together, I was disappointed sadly by Johnny Cooke’s vocals. The groups lead singer appeared to give a half hearted performance on the night, which did not do his fantastic lyrics justice. Thank goodness for this EP, because it shows that Johnny was obviously having an off night. His vocals throughout this EP are very impressive, they rise and fall with the music and manage to climb above the instruments, even when they are played at their rampant best.
His lyrics are extremely impressive, Johnny is a deep, brooding person and this shows in his lyrics. Dark and thoughtful, they dazzle with their complexity and ability to explain exactly the sorrowful visions he tries to put on paper when writing these tracks.
This is a fantastic EP and I am very glad about this, not only because I appreciate good music, but also because it shows that Johnny is just as capable with his voice as the musicians are with their instruments, a fact that sadly was not on show during the gig that I viewed, but we are all allowed a bad day.
The EP’s first track The Cost Of Loving, has already had plenty of air play on regional radio stations and there is little doubt as to why. It is a lovely harmonic track of melody and rhythm. The guitar playing is fantastic, the high, jangly melody and contradicting scratchy riffs oppose each other, yet blend their sound brilliantly. The fast paced drum section keeps a blazing rhythm going and Johnny’s vocals rise and fall throughout, telling an intimate tale of love and possibly some personal regret. The track is steady at first, then really kicks in mid way and grows into a huge anthem. It is an extremely good track and a great way to begin the journey that this EP takes you on.
This Sorry Scene is another great musical display, up and down throughout the track it sets a great atmosphere and tension for Johnny to deliver his regret and sorrow filled lyrics with energy and emotion. The drumming from Paul Warren really makes this track, from start to finish it blazes through and sets a fast heart beat for the other instruments to follow, the bass is warm and backs up the two guitars as they rip through the track, with sections of huge, metallic riffs and gentle, high, tension filled chords which flow with the vocals effortlessly.
The Floor Fell Away, is a steadier track, plodding drums and bass play under wailing, affected guitar, while backing vocals from the group set a real moody backdrop before Johnny begins to deliver his poetry again. The variations in guitar playing are quite brilliant and show what a talent Rikki Mehta has. Large climbing riffs, eerie wailing loops and scratchy solos all once again delivered over the top of Paul Warren’s impeccable drum kit, which raises and lowers the tempo throughout.
Long Walk Home, begins with gentle, tense guitar and brooding bass, eerie, wailing samples add tension to the track which changes from a brooding melody into a hard hitting rock fest. The smooth changes in this track are a real testament to the musical talent of Dogs. The vocals are again brilliant; Johnny talks to the listener with angst, and then screams his emotion filled lyrics, delivering the feelings he used to write the lyrics, with the changes in his vocal range. Kevin Iverson’s melody throughout the track is metallic and rasping and creates the flow needed to keep this technical track together. This is a brilliant track; it delivers emotion, sensitivity, harshness and displays of technical brilliance, whilst remaining entertaining and full of depth.
When I Threw Stones, is another poetical tale of love, loss, sorrow and regret, steadier in this tracks execution, everything plods steadily with a smooth rhythm and melody, the drumming is once again impeccable and changes the dimension of the track throughout. Rikki’s guitar is brilliant again, not as loud or extravagant, he still duly delivers screaming riffs and metallic chords throughout, which alter the moods in time perfectly with the sombre lyrics, in fact it is almost the guitar which narrates the lyrics as the sound defines the emotion which Johnny Cooke is delivering with his words.
Now The Rain Falls, is almost beautiful, if the dark, sadness of the song's words can allow such a thing. The drumming is soft and gentle and the guitars atmospheric and distant, full of feedback and echo. Johnny’s vocals are almost desperate, indeed the lyrics are. The backing vocals add to this despair and as the track talks about rain fall, I can almost see the tears falling from Johnny’s cheeks; such is the emotion in this short track.
This EP is quite staggering, Johnny Cooke’s lyrics are dark and poetic and there is a definite sadness inside of him. The musical displays from all the band members, particularly Paul Warren and Rikki Mehta are fantastic and the tracks are composed with equal quality to which they are written as the instruments play the emotion and despair which Johnny’s lyrics and vocals deliver, creating a very clever, very thoughtful track list which impresses from start to finish.
I believe this group are at their best when they really go at it, the first 4 tracks provide this whole heartedly, but the last 2 offerings show diversity and sensitivity. Cost Of Loving is almost a pop song; such is the addictive hook that sways through the track, while the other tracks on the EP show the listener the group’s ability as musicians and Johnny Cooke’s deep, thoughtful character. 'We Are The Dogs' is an excellent EP void of a bad track.
STEREOBOARD RATING 9/10.
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The Floor Fell Away, is a steadier track, plodding drums and bass play under wailing, affected guitar, while backing vocals from the group set a real moody backdrop before Johnny begins to deliver his poetry again. The variations in guitar playing are quite brilliant and show what a talent Rikki Mehta has. Large climbing riffs, eerie wailing loops and scratchy solos all once again delivered over the top of Paul Warren’s impeccable drum kit, which raises and lowers the tempo throughout.
