The Swedes are back with their third album. For those who like their previous two records, rest assured that you will dog, sorry dig, this as well. III is another step up their evolutionary ladder. The music is still hard rock with reliance on heavy riffs, short solos, effective melodies and strong vocals. There is a special crunch to the guitar sound, which I will never tire off.
For those who haven't haven't heard about the band before I can reveal the following:
- Dogpound originate from Sweden and were formed in 1999.
- They play hard rock with focus on melody and massive riffs.
- The Monty Python'ish humor that shines through in some of their songs is an endearing quality not many other bands have.
- The Dogpound philosophy is: "Why turn the volume of the louder instruments down when you can turn up the volume on the ones that aren't loud enough?" The same goes for the album. The louder it is heard the better.
The album takes time and some patience. Give it that time to sink in and you will be rewarded big time as each song starts to open up. For me it began with
Other way around where I suddenly thought "how could I not have noticed that chorus before". The song mixes heaviness and utter tranquility into a perfect union. The chorus is dream-like and out of this world. I feel myself swept away every time I hear it. The chorus a nice way of rising through the song.
Next on my "III awakening" was
Blind where again the absolutely spiffing chorus became totally infectous. It just beats the air out of me and makes me want to jump up and down. An energized and effective song.
Then
Glass jar was discovered. A melancholic song where a strong bridge and a great chorus are the main draws.
Another song that slowly enters the consciousness is
One. There is a dream-like quality to the song that suddenly won me over.
Other highlights include the funny
Dead and Gone, the slow moving
Not welcome here, the bouncing and strangely uplifting
In a Life and
Away From Me where the chorus really opens up the song. Overall the songwriting is tight and stands the test of time.
The songs tackle some serious issues with a nice twist of humor. Unfortunately the lyrics in the booklet are printed in such small letters that they are almost impossible to make out.
III is a great album that grows immensely with many listens.
Dogpound should find a good home in any hard rocking collection.
Must be heard A.L.A.P.
Written by
Steen Tuesday, November 6, 2007
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