Customer Reviews

Wild Dogs With X-Rays Eyes

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

 

 

When I first heard this, I said "it sounds as if a band like Weezer decided to cover Lemonheads songs," so pay attention to Brett's review. I got into "Harsh Light" immediately, and was soon hooked on the whole album. Not a bad track on it, and it's one of those great albums where you can listen to the whole thing without feeling you're hearing too much of the same sound (like Helmet), or changing so much that it has an inconsistent tone (like Ween).

I don't remember how I came across this, but needless to say it came out of left field and captured my heart . . . great hooks, crunchy guitars, spot-on harmonies and nobody else has ever heard of them . . . the remnants of this band now make up the equally obscure band, Hello Dragon.

Initially captivated by a beautiful blonde guitarist on-stage, I was quickly drawn in by their catchy melodies and harmonies. The CD itself does not have a bad track on it and I admit that it hasn't left my CD player very frequently (or even my head for that matter). In my opinion, it's great. But although the band has proved significant staying power, they failed to show me anything really amazing...yet. They definitely know how to write a song with a good rockin mood to it, and have a great feel for a song's direction and progress, something most bands lack. But I think that they could do better if they really pushed themselves beyond conventional rock. The last track features an effect on the lead guitar that gives the CD a good diversity of texture along with some slower tracks but they need more. I'm really looking forward to what they have to offer in the future.

In addition, while they touch on excellent subject matter such as superficial social addicts "haunting the air" and the always amusing messed up relationship, I have to say that a few lines of their lyrics are overpoetic and it would be nice to know what some of these metaphors mean, if they mean anything at all. But it's not too much and it's a tiny issue amongst a battery of powerful images like flying over crowds and the dreaded morning after. and did I mention their great harmonies yet?

So, despite some minor criticisms, I gave the CD 5 stars because this is still an irresistible CD that YOU SHOULD BUY and a band that deserves your support.

The commonly demure face of indy-rock is not so brutally apparent in the case of Helicopter Helicopter. Produced by Matthew Ellard of Weezer fame, "Wild Dogs with X-Ray Eyes" shares characteristic undertones of a Lemonheads release. Despite some thinly winded and slow-paced songs they still stay true to the rhythmic structure of rock and roll; maintaining a semi-melodious approach to the subject material with the addition of a keyboard to the front lines. Technically speaking, the band hits their changes collectively and knows how to play surprisingly well together. The acoustic and sometimes timid vocal tracks are supplemented by unique effects and guitar hooks focusing heavily on the stability of the rhythm section. In addition, they carry the lead lines and melody of the album while the instrumentation stays in the background, a common approach with the more minimalist perspective that purveys the genre.