| CD REVIEW Street Dogs |
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Band : Street Dogs Although Boston based Street Dogs were formed in 2002, its vocalist Mike McColgan already had a reputation in the Street Punk scene as the frontman who had helped Celtic Punk Rockers Dropkick Murphys get started between 1996 and late 1998 (just after the release of band's debut album Do Or Die by Hellcat Records, he also sang on the band's first EPs, which were compiled on the Early Years sampler), leaving to serve the Boston community as a fire fighter. In 2002 however, the love of music had haunted him to the point of wanting to start a new band all over again. Come in bassist Johnny Rioux, and the recording and release, just for fun, of debut album Savin Hill that same year! The album was a success and resulted in a tour with Flogging Molly. The line-up of the band would proove to be somewhat unstable though. At one moment drummer Joe Sirois, whom Rioux had known from the (Mighty Mighty) Bosstones days, came into the band...and stayed. Then, in 2004, McColgan took a leave of absence from his fire fighting job to devote time to the recording and promoting of sophomore album Back To The World. Prior to this, the band had enlisted the services of guitarists Marcus Hollar and Tobe Bean, and found themselves with a stable line-up at last. With a more polished sound, the second album (folowed by a split EP with The Dents entitled Round One, on which SD brought one song off Savin Hill and a one exclusive to the split release) exceeded the debut in popularity and success, getting hailing criticism in the States, Europe and Japan alike, and enabling the band to tour with such heavyweights as Social Distortion, Tiger Army, Bad Religion, Millencollin, The Bouncing Souls, and The Briefs. SD also hooked in on the Vans Warped tour of 2005, and then went out on their first headlining tours in both the US and Europe. Headlining continued in 2006, as well as support tours with Rancid, The Adolescents, and The Bouncing Souls. That same year the band released their third album Fading American Dream (again on DRT Entertainment), produced by Ted Hutt (of Flogging Molly, Madcap, and The Bouncing Sould repute). Somewhere in 2007, the drum seat was taken over by Paul Rucker (reasons for which are not mentioned). On the new album (which is again produced by Hutt and the first for Hellcat, to which they signed in February 2008), McColgan uses less political lyrics, and more personal ones (like "Kevin J O'Toole", dedicated to his uncle and fellow firefighter who recently passed away; the Irish-inspired "Elizabeth", about his grandmother whom was the matriarch of the family...a song which sees a guest appearance of some, unannounced in the promo talk, additional female singer; and "The General's Boombox", a band tribute to Joe Strummer, whom they cite as their main influence), but you'll still find enough politics in tracks like "Into The Valley" (a cover, originally by The Skids) and the energetic call-for-change "Rebel Song". The sound is said to be somewhat rawer or, as Rioux puts it: "This is a more organic record, and the result is a more powerful and honest record. It's less political and more everyday life delivered in a more powerful way...". No matter what, the band's melodic StreetPunk is simply màde to be sang along, and that especially with the anthemic "Two Angry Kids", a track which is readily used to promote the band's new album on both the label's website (artist sub-section, where you'll also find some 7 videos) and the band's myspace.com/streetdogs (where you'll also find mp3-files for the album's opening track "Mean Fist", and two songs off each of the two previous albums, plus 5 videos, some of which also on the label website). Personally, I can't say I'm too wild about State Of Grace, but that has more to do with McColgan's singing style which, in my personal view, has a somewhat nagging tone...or lacks a certain degree of hoarseness...than with the excellent music. I mean, the man may be a much wanted and respected person in the circles of his Boston friends and the usual lovers of Street Punk and Celtic Punk, but when push comes to shove, whether you like a band or not is dependent on several factors, some of which are simply personal! So, if you didn't know the band alreay, check their stuff out for yourself, and don't let anyone else tell you to like or dislike what you hear. You know my personal views...and I don't think I will change those for the first time being, as I've allowed myself to listen to the album in several ways (on the big audio as well as through headphones for more detailed listening) and still wasn't quite completely happy with what's on offer. However, in view of the musicianship of the band, I'm prepared to make a compromise in my rating of the album. Ooh...almost forgot: record collectors best wait until August 19 to buy their copy of the album, as a limited edition of vinyl will be pressed (in two different colours)...so best order your copy from the record store as soon as possible. If at least the vinyl will be available that way, because it's possible the band will simply be taking that limited edition of vinyl with them on tour. Tour...there's another thing I almost forgot: the guys are currently on the Vans Warped Tour, playing at the main stage, so until August 17 at least that's where you'll find them! 81/100 Tony. |