Dr. Dog – Dr. Dog

Despite what’s now a long history, Philadelphia’s Dr. Dog have never been a particularly inspired act – but also one that’s easy to enjoy. Their neo-sixties cheery pop is anything but revelatory, and can veer into the saccharine simple, but is still nice enough with Dr. Dog.

Like a happy puppy, Dr. Dog’s cheery nature is straightforward and unmistakable on songs such as “Authority” and “Fat Dog”. There are even times where it becomes somewhat more interesting, like “Lost Ones”, “White Dove”, and particularly the alt-backwoods “Love Struck” (likely due to guest contribution from M. Ward). Meanwhile, when they get slower and even sadder, Dog lazes about – for instance, “Handyman” manages to not only be psych-lite, but in particularly Grateful Dead-lite, particularly in particular bringing to mind a watered-down version of The Dead’s “Candyman”.

One might have thought after Dr. Dog said that they were retiring from touring three years ago, any return to making music & the road might prompt a change in sound. But they’re still the Dr. Dog that many people like (and others forget).