Customer Reviews

Dog Problems

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In the second track of "Dog Problems," singer Nate Reuss asks us a question, while Beach-Boys-esque harmonies swirl behind him: "Can we take the next hour and talk about me?" It's a question and a challenge -- in the world of mp3s and single-serving music, are you willing to commit to an album that's meant to be enjoyed as a whole?

If you are, you'll be rewarded with an intricate, satisfying collection of songs that make a coherent whole, but are individually catchy as well. Nate hasn't lost any of his gift for writing the perfect lyric, as noted in an earlier review, and his voice is, if anything, more powerful than before.

The song arrangements take some getting used to. My first listen, I thought they were overproduced -- too many horns, too much harmony -- but on repeated listens, what seemed overly complicated was just agreeably complex. Nate's voice never gets lost in the shuffle, and the tune remains the driving force.

This is an album to listen to in its entirety, then listen again through good speakers, then again through headphones, then again and again. I'm still hearing surprises on my fifteenth or sixteenth go-round. From the Queen-influenced title track to the Mountain Goats-esque "If Work Permits," this is one CD you'll come back to over and over again.

i was first introduced to this wonderful band about three years ago when they toured with dashboard confessional. Their first full length album, Interventions and Lullabies, was also awesome...but they've grown up a lot since then. After being dropped from their record label (twice) they are still thriving and releasing great material. They describe their most recent effort as "desert pop" and i totally agree. It features great use of instrumentals that really captivate the listener. This album hasn't left my car stereo since i bought it during the summer. I recomend this album to any fan of the pop genre and all good music in general. It is totally catchy and has the sort of sound that you are pleased to have stuck in your head 24/7. They've also just released an i-tunes exclusive ep that you should be sure to check out! It is a live recording from their 'dog days of summer' tour. I was lucky enough to catch the tour and also to see the guys again two weeks ago in their current supporting tour 'tournado.' These guys will be tour in the spring sooo be sure to catch them there too. You won't be sorry you've invested in such an amazing album...

I heard one song from this CD and decided to buy it - I was not disappointed. It's hard to describe the style of the Format because they hit so many different types of song with some folksy guitar-based songs and some that resemble circus music. All in all, it's an unexpected delight and a light, enjoyable listening experience.

I remember when I first heard their last album and I thought whoa Nate's voice is extremley annoying and high pitched. Boy was I wrong. After giving their first album a few listens I was hooked. Their song "The First Single" was the catchiest tune I heard since NFG's "My Friends Over You." My favorite song off their first album had to be "On Your Porch." I still listen to it religiously.

Fast forward a couple of years, and they release two EPs (Snails and The Street Team EPs) and start releasing a lot of new material for our listening pleasure. This is one thing I love about this band. They aren't so secretive about their music and the recording process, on the other hand my favorite band of all time, Brand New is a completely different story. Been waiting on their new album for almost 3 years.

About a month and half or so back I get news that their new album has leaked. That same day they released a digital download of the whole album for 8 bucks or so. I bought it from them and its yet to get any rest in the car, on the computer or ipod. I'm in love with the new album. I just bought the hard copy today. Love the artwork.

On to the album. I usually listen to the album from top to bottom because their aren't really any filler tracks and each one has something new I discover with each listen. A few of my favorite tracks have to be "She Doesn't Get It" "Dog Problems" "Oceans" and "If Work Permits". You'll get lost in he ohhhh's, horns and laaaaas.

Some lyrics I really enjoy are

"why am i scared of people in a room?

why cant they see a good time are the people close to you?

why dont i just give in, have a drink and shake some hands?

why am i scarred from what she did to me?

why cant i trust the only one who's yet to believe?

why dont i just give in, have a drink and shake some hands?"

track- oceans

"boys in swooping haircuts are bringing me down,

taking pictures of themselves, oh.

boys in swooping haircuts you know who you are"

track- dog problems

"Suddenly between sheets and eyelids, I am reminded why I don't do this.

I fall in love far too quickly,

I never want her to forget me."

track- she doesn't get it

"sometimes, when sailors are sailing

they think twice, about where theyre anchoring

and i think, i could make better time of my time on land

ill drink less

cause lord knows i could use a warm kiss

instead of a cold goodbye"

track- if work permits

"Life is not a play, it's what we

Make of the people we love."

track- snails

a must buy! great guys, amazing music.

This is a rare album whose bright, happy-sounding pop tunes completely belies the subject matter of the songs. If you read the lyrics without the music, you'd discover a string of break up songs. If you listen to the music without paying attention to the lyrics, you'd swear that these were the most carefree, happy songs ever written. One of my favorite genres of music is power pop of the Big Star, Sloan, New Pornographers variety. This is pop without the power, but not uncompelling for all that. The Amazon reviewer describes it as power pop, but I can't make any sense of this description. One associates power pop with bands like I just mentioned, that combine pop melodies with power chords. As I said, there has to be some edge of some sort for it to qualify as power pop. The songs are perhaps a little brighter and less edgy than what I am normally attracted to, but if even someone like me, who normally wouldn't be pulled to an album like this, loves it, imagine how much more someone who loves light pop would.

The Format is essentially a two-person band that has added additional personnel to make them viable for live performances. Nonetheless, the songs are still co-written by co-founders Nate Ruess and Sam Means. My impression is that singer Ruess, who is blessed with a soaring and unfettered high tenor that at times recalls Harry Nilsson, is responsible for the lyrics and Means the melodies. On record Means supplies an unreasonable amount of the playing. I have not seen them live so I don't know what instrument (or instruments) he focuses on in concert. If I have a complaint about the band - and really I don't quite - it is that the lyrics sometimes are a bit too cute and the melodies a bit too soft-edged. For instance, in one song Ruess sings, "Tick tock, you're not a clock/You're a time bomb baby." I normally would find that kind of line a bit too clever for comfort, but for some reason I have little trouble accepting it here. Throughout Ruess sings in a wonderfully free, unstrained tenor that rarely relies on falsetto. There are a huge number of rock singers who force themselves to sing in a very high register, but I know of no one who sings this high with so little strain. I love the Shins, but their vocals are clearly sung in a higher register than their voices want, but Ruess sings even higher with markedly more ease.

With a couple of exceptions this is a remarkably strong set of songs. I heard their earlier album INTERVENTIONS AND LULLABIES once or twice, but found too much of it flat and unexciting. The songs on this album are dramatically stronger. I mentioned "Time Bomb," which sounds like a sixties top 40 hit. One of my favorite cuts is "She Doesn't Get It," where the guy is on a timetable because she is "leaving on a Sunday" and which contains some of Ruess's best vocal work. Interestingly, this is one of the rare CDs that seem to get stronger as it goes along. Too many albums cram their best cuts in the first half of the CD. DOG PROBLEMS's best cuts are near the middle, with such cuts as the title track (which really does sound like a Harry Nilsson number) and "Oceans."

I definitely recommend this album but only with a word of caution: this is very light pop. If you only like music with an edge and a beat, this might not be for you. But if something this bright and upbeat excites you, give it a shot.

I am a HUGE fan of music and listen to many different

styles and artists for much of the day while I work,

every day. This band may not be for everyone, simply

because they are different than what you are used to.

However, I love this cd enough to comment and leave

a review, saying how much I love this cd. I am so happy

I discovered them, thanks to a friend, who also loves them.

I classify it as alternative. Not pop.

I first heard The Format on our local alternative radio station. The song "Snails" is just wonderful (I think I'll have it played at my funeral!). I agree with another reviewer that this is best listened to as a whole. As a complete album, this is an amazing treat as every song seems to 'speak' and have it's own story to tell. I hope to see this band live sometime. If you're going to sample a song, give "Snails" or "She Doesn't Get It" a listen.

i have to admit when i first bought this CD and listened i was skeptical since it doesn't sound much like their first album upon first listen. However after seeing them perform the album live, and see the passion that went into the lyrics and the fun that they had with the energy of the music, i gave it a second listen and FELL IN LOVE. This album has several amazing songs, but all of them are solid. Some have a somewhat theatrical feel, but the lyrics and message are amazing. This is a great album to run to (perfect pacing for your strides) or drive along on a sunny day (or a grey one to brighten it up). This second CD is very different from the first, but give it a couple listens and you'll grow to love it even more!

I've been a format fan for years! I am in love with their first cd, but this one is by far the best!

"Although the band was inundated with major-label offers after their split with Atlantic, they decided to release under their own Vanity Label imprint, distributed by Sony/BMGa move that allowed them to make the album they wanted to make.

"It was great," says Ruess, describing the process of recording Dog Problems with producer Steve McDonald (Red Kross). "I'd go into the studio, make decisions and never have to hear things like, "I don't know if that has enough octane," he continues, laughing. "I feel like on the last record, we were pressured to make an album full of singles, and this time we could just do whatever we want." It's true; six of the songs on Dog Problems have full orchestration (three of which are arranged by Jellyfish mastermind Roger Manning), and while the band may not have felt pressured to write singles, well, nearly every song on the disc could be one."

this cd makes me happy, i also saw them in concert 7 days ago (best ever).

YOU JUST GOTTA LOVE THEM!!!

I found Dog Problems about a year or so before the Format broke up. I was immediately drawn to the theatrical, rock-opera-esque qualities of it and fell for tracks like "She Doesn't Get It" and the title track. When I finally had the full CD in hand and heard the album front to back, I was blown away. The album sports some of the most bombastic, eccentric, and fun instrument arrangements I have heard and is overall the way music ought to be made these days. Everything from the album art to the honest, brooding lyrics by singer Nate Ruess is an absolute treasure and deserves to be bought hard-copy and not online. Do yourselves a favor and buy this album, truly a masterpiece in every sense of the word.