It’s hard to think of a band who’s album has been more eagerly anticipated than DOG IS DEAD’s debut ‘All Our Favourite Stories’. In fact it’s damn near impossible. The past five years have seen the Nottingham five piece go from cult indie band to ‘big pop’ pioneers, picking up national radio play, a summer schedule packed with festivals and hoards of dedicated fans along the way. Not bad for a bunch of school friends from West Bridgford eh?
Renowned for cheery and harmonious indie pop, the album kicks off with a somewhat unexpected level of sobriety in ‘Get Low’. Reverberating riffs and solemn drum beats add an ominous edge to the band’s sound, which is beautifully contrasted by the jauntiness and impossibly catchy chorus of second track ‘Do the Right Thing’. Following song ‘Teenage Daughter’ is probably the standout feature of the album. Filled with the choir-like harmonies that DOG IS DEAD have become famous for, each soaring ‘a-ah’ is made euphoric and triumphant by their tight-as-hell vocals. Most recent single ‘Talk Through the Night’ is bright, catchy and unashamedly poppy, particularly when juxtaposed with following track ‘Two Devils’. The somewhat sinister lyrics are offset perfectly by Rob Milton’s fragility-laden vocals (‘If we don’t stop now we’ll be dead by summer’) and a fervent choral backing making the song utterly swoon-worthy. Arguably their most famous song, ‘Glockenspiel Song’ is already a firm fan favourite, its chanted refrain ‘we are a mess, we are failures and we love it’ gloriously anthemic. The grand finale of ‘Any Movement’ is another standout, the electro ballad almost Killers-esque in its grandeur. Ten tracks of Indie Pop gold are complimented by the production skills of David Kosten and Nottingham’s very own Guy Elderfield giving a finished album the whole of Notts can be proud of.
Scattered with chirpy guitars, 80’s sax and melodies akin to Bombay Bicycle Club, ‘All Our Favourite Stories’ epitomises what DOG IS DEAD are about; Youthful Indie Pop tinged with nostalgia and regret. Brimming with top twenty potential, it’s a blissfully fun album that lives up to and exceeds every expectation and I for one can’t wait for them to spin us their next set of tales.
There is still a chance for all you DOG IS DEAD fans to win a chance to see their SOLD OUT album launch at The Boat Club this Monday by entering our Spread The Love competition. Details HERE. ‘All Our Favourite Stories’ is available for pre-order HERE.
Yours in Love of New Music,
Maddie Hammond X
#spreadthelove
Our ‘Nusic Presents Dog Is Dead’ mini-doc and live session will be online tomorrow at midday.
