A Ballsy and Impassioned Album
Having made it onto the R13 list of bands to see live this Summer, alongside the likes of Iron Maiden and Smashing Pumpkins, relative newcomers DOGS have a lot to live up to with new album, 'Tall Stories From Under The Table'. Thankfully their exuberant energy translates perfectly onto record and you'll soon be dancing round your room with a fractious swagger.
Single, 'Dirty Little Shop' is a very impressive indie tune, it's not the liveliest number on the album, but it's an astute and catchy release with a snappy riff and quick-witted lyrics, "The coldest place in the betting shop is by the litter bin, you lost the lot!" It's not Shakespeare but it certainly brings a smile to the listener's face.
'Soldier On's militant percussion and raucous vocals rush you through the 3 minute tune that has all the elements a hit could ever need; slick guitarwork, vocals with wild abandon and a fabulous rousing chorus. 'This Stone Is A Bullet's irreverent style is similar to the politicised, raging tunes of The Clash, "Is ignorance habitual?" question the self-assured Londoners. Of course The Jam must also get a mention as influences as Paul Weller features on piano during the closer, 'Let It Lay', a restrained tune which lets the vocals rage fiercely against the more moderate backing, although there are also some moments where the guitars strain at the leash. DOGS capitalize on their down to earth charm, while casting an critical eye over British culture, "Like little pretenders to the old east enders you against no gangster son", spit the break neck lyrics describing scenes on London streets during, 'Little Pretenders' while the guitars build to a squealing, incensed high.
You know that a band's not pretentious when they're not afraid to use handclaps on their tunes, such is the case on, 'Forget It All', a gritty tune which has a simple beauty at its centre as the calling vocals call, "You're running away to forget it all". Although its opening lyrics mirror those of U2's 'Running To Stand Still' almost exactly, 'Who are Yu' soon twists into its own aching dialect on the boredom of 9 to 5, "He put the pissed into misanthropist" coo the cutting lyrics.
An album that backs up into cool swagger with a canny intelligence, 'Tall Stories From Under The Table' is a real British treasure, filled with fury and passion, but with enough conscience to stop this tipping into a meaningless tirade.