Customer Reviews

Beware of Dog

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Hangdog's sophomore release, "Beware of Dog" is a big step up from their debut album, "East of Yesterday." They seem more comfortable with their folk rock/honky tonk style and the songwriting has improved immensely. The first track, "The Gun SOng," crackles like a Colt .45 with a harrowing tale of an abused woman's revenge. The third song, "Anocostia" tells the unlikely story of a vetrean burned out by his own U.S. Army during the World War I Vetrean's Pension Riot in Washington in the early 1930s. There are a couple of grea rave-ups, including the title track "Beware of Dog" and "St. Claire of Cedar Rapids," as well as some good quieter numbers like "Angelita Turns" and "The World is Yours."

"Beware of Dog" moves The Hangdogs to the front of the alternative country pack. They are in fact a great rock band that uses its retro sound to maximum effect. "Beware" is one on the best rock albums so far of Y2K.

Another great album by this group from NYC. I especially loved "Other peoples houses", sung by drummer Kevin Baier. This song provides some comic relief on a blues/rock album. I'm no music expert, but this is a great cd.

If you're thinking that Americana music is only bred south of the Mason-Dixon line, you're dead wrong. Straight out of the Big Apple, the Hangdogs second release Beware of Dog captures the finer points of this genre with an invigorating performance aura and a mature display of songwriting. Slightly more rock 'n roll oriented than their first album, East of Yesterday, Beware of Dog covers a broad range of musical styles which are penetrated by lead singer "Banger" Grimm's nasal-twang vocals. The album cranks up with its first track, "The Gun Song," a cowpunk rant about the inevitable revenge of a victim of spousal abuse. The dogs tone down with two slower love tunes, "Angelita Turns" and "Somewhere Near Heaven," asserting a distinctive Tex-Mex flavor through melodic accordion drones and simple acoustic guitar progressions. In "Waltz This Waltz Alone," we get the feeling of an oldschool Merle Haggard barroom drinking song. "Love in here (the bar) don't last forever, but it might until 4," moans Grimm over the high and lonesome whine of the steel guitar. The Hangdogs kick it back up a notch with two gutty honky-tonk tracks, "Meet Me at Tommy's" and the album's title song, "Beware of Dog." Traces of musical contemporaries such as the Bottle Rockets and the Backsliders cannot be avoided in these two compelling country jams. Beware of Dog would not be complete without a bit of politics pervading the air. American class struggle and inequalities, as well as governmental negligence toward the common citizen, seem to be themes that run bitterly throughout a few songs on the album, including "The World is Yours" and "Out There." The band responds to a historic post-World War I incident in "Anacostia," where a group of protesting veterans were turned upon by the US Government, who ultimately set fire to their campsite along the Potomac River. This new release from the Hangdogs is a highly commendable collection of mature roots rock and Americana music. It represents the best elements of this progressive, rapidly expanding genre of music. Do yourself a good deed and invest in the dog pound.

Do you know this band? If not, you should. Sort of a country-rock, cowpunk, tex-mex, alt-country, honky-tonk rock band from NYC, of course. You will hear the usual sources, Bottle Rockets, Georgia Satellites, Drivin N Cryin, etc.

Although I generally like my Alt Country with a Texas accent this band really bites, and I mean that in a good way. If you are into alt country music that really rocks, you must own this album. I would consider these dogs to be a cross between Reckless Kelly and Jason and the Scorchers. They don't beat around the bush with their lyrics. Songs like the Gun Song and Meet me at Tommy's are brash but brilliant. The slower more mellow tracks like Angelita Turns and St. Claire of Cedar Rapids are also great. There is no fluff or filler, every song is good. The more I listen to this disc the more I like it. I would love to see these guys live.

I've loved these guys ever since I stumbled upon them in New York a few years ago. This CD is a great blend of roots rock, country and thoughtful lyrics. Beware of the Dog is full of songs to tap your feet to. I highly recommend it. ('course the only thing better then the CD is seeing the 'dogs live.)

I have never ever heard this type of music before. It is whiskey influenced, high octane, honky-tonk, psychobilly music with progressive liberal themes and lyrics. Some of the best guitar hooks I have ever heard and some of my favorite vocals ever. "Out There" ranks for me, one of the ten greatest songs ever, and it is just one of many great songs. If you are into Mike Ness and the Old 97s, I think you will like this. Sad that they are no longer together, but they do have a great website.

I bought their first album and enjoyed it. This follow up is OK to listen to but the songs don't pop like they did on the first release. Forgettable.

I don't think I have ever been more pleasently suprised with the purchase of an album. I had never heard of this band, did not know what sound they had or anything. But I liked the album cover and gave it a shot. Well, it is now one of my favorite albums of all-time. Honky Tonk Rock'n'Roll to the max, but with a heart. The great tunes start with track #1 (The Gun Song) and continue through #12 (Somewhere Near Heaven). I love the intelligent lyrics and the raw emotion. It seems that this style of music is gaining a lot of attention today with bands like Drive By Truckers, but The Hangdogs should be the one people are listening to. Great Stuff!

There are a lot of bands right now mixing country with garage. The Hangdogs are not one of the best. Weak songs sung by a vocalist who sounds likes dozens of other singers. There is just not much new going on here--nothing to distinguish this band from others in the same genre.