Fate

Dr. Dog | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 22, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: PARK THE VAN RECORDS
• ASIN: B0018TAFW0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,425 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Fate is the record Dr. Dog were destined to make, a timeless yet contemporary
distillation of the band s open-armed, big-hearted sound taken to new heights of
craft and creativity. Inventive, magnificently realized, and absolutely irresistible,
the Park The Van Records release sees the Philadelphia-based quintet filtering the
gamut of American popular music into its own idiosyncratic brand of blue-eyed,
dilated-pupil soul. As ever, Dr. Dog makes magic from an enduring pop palette
of intricate harmonies, shape-shifting melodies, and ramshackle audio ingenuity
all presented through the band s slightly skewed and utterly individualistic
outlook.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 Stars... Best album yet for Dr. Dog, August 1, 2008

By 

Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fate (Audio CD)

Dr. Dog has been on a roll. Only last year did they release the very nice "We All Belong", their 4th studio album, and already we have a new album from the Philadelphia indie-band.

"Fate" (11 tracks, 44 min.) brings an astounding collection of songs. The album kicks off with a great "The Breeze" and immediately it feels like the band has kicked it up another notch or two. The great tracks follow one after another, but the pay-off comes in the last third of the album. "Uncovering The Old" is as catchy (indeed even danceable) as the band has ever been. It is followed by "The Beach", with a biting undertone and aggressive electric guitar solo (imagine that!). The album closer, a 5+ min. epic "My Friend" sums up the album perfectly, with more catchy licks and melodies. Truth be told, there isn't a single weak track on here, and the leap forward from "We All Belong" is amazing.

In all, this is an outstanding album, and sure to make my "best of" for 2008. I have to admit that I didn't really got to know these guys but for the fact that they get played regularly on internet-only WOXY ("Bam! The Future of Rock and Roll"), the best source for indie-rock in the country, bar none. Meanwhile, "Fate" is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do you feel like you're stuck in time?, July 25, 2008

By 

M. Blevins - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fate (Audio CD)

Dr. Dog's fifth album is a continuation of the 60's-style pop hooks that have made the band a favorite among Indie Rock fans. Many of the songs take on a playful feel, similar to Paul McCartney melodies, circa Abbey Road and White Album. Beatles and Beach Boys-like harmonies prevail throughout the record, creating a feel-good ambiance as one song progresses to the next.

Highlights include "The Old Days," whose vaudevillian piano is reminiscent of "Rockie Raccoon." "The Ark" combines a guitar-driven melody with classic Dr. Dog harmonies. "From" provides a melodic hook that grabs you upon your first listen. The track sounds like an outtake from 1967-1969 era Beatles recordings. "The Beach" features a driving guitar and organ and is among the 'hardest' rock Dr. Dog has recorded.

Fans of Dr. Dog's prior work will certainly be pleased with "Fate." Hopefully the band will continue on its recent prolific writing and recording streak.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just a fantastic new record, July 27, 2008

By 

Matthew Bialer (New York, New York United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fate (Audio CD)

The range of songs is diverse. They sound even more cohesive as a band. They still have their breezey feel with some darker overtones. I agree that Toby and Scott have very different styles and obsessions but they are a great team. Any fans of the previous records will eat this one up. And thanks, Pitchfork, for continuing to write your ill informed and condescending reviews when it comes to this band. Still talking about that New York Times article? Thanks Dr. Dog for another great record!