We All Belong

iTunes Review

This indie band from Philly wears its influences loudly and proudly; reviewers often cite classic rock bands such as the Beatles and the Beach Boys, but we detect another B-great here: David Bowie. From the first strains of the lavishly orchestrated “Old News,” Bowie’s yearning howl haunts throughout, and the Ziggy Stardust theatrical ethos holds court like a revered spirit. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that!) The fourth album by the Dog won over legions of new fans, after honing a quirky, retro, pop sound with a bit more restraint, polishing up pianos and organs and Beatles-esque harmonies while throwing in flavors from the group's historically soulful hometown. “Worst Trip” starts off with a repetitive, plaintive piano that segues into brassy, Stax-feeling horns (yeah, we know that’s a Memphis sound), and the layers of keyboards and tambourines on “My Old Ways” and the repentant “Die Die Die” recall soul radio classics from decades past.  (There’s even a comforting hiss of worn vinyl running through some tracks.) But classic pop is at the heart of Dr. Dog’s music, and they excel at reshaping the genre with a post-modern sense of irony, possibility and romanticism and they do it with brains, wit, and no small amount of love.