The Format: “Dog Problems”
(Nettwerk Records)
This column must still be on Nettwerk’s probation list, being that the love it gets from the corridors of PR is currently limited to quirky guess-my-classification tests released the previous month or week, not that they should stop in case anyone’s looking. A couple of months ago we went over Anathallo, whose weirdness was Sufjan Stevens-level, and the oom-pah-pah waltzing that kicks off boot-up track “Matches” was met with similar excited squeals from our Altie Whacko Desk, but that was just a drill; the evocation here is Belle and Sebastian getting a royal beating from the Shins while ELO sneaks a few robot-glissando aaahhhahhs into the vocal tracks. It’s at once keep-on-truckin 70s and break-out-the-thesaurus inspiration for Pitchforkians, the hi-hat sizzling in 16th-notes while twee vocal lines implicitly urge the rich kids to make daddy’s 57 T-bird disappear to someplace grassy where it’s safe to make out and do wildly outrageous things like stick flowers in your hair. Title track is a synthesis of “Killer Queen” and the most recent opera-couplet-a-thon from the now-demented Sparks, setting the table for an experience that will have Belle fans who’d like to see their heroes get slightly edgy believing in Santa Claus.
"Thank you Willie for the kind comments about my book. You are particularly on the nail about me consciously..."
"This is an excellent tour. Thank you, Dr. Nick, for taking me by the hand and introducing me to a..."
"Excellent research, compelling delivery................"
"The feedback is very much appreciated, CAP. I'm a huge fan of this interview and we're gradually uploading Thyrza Nichols..."
"Great interview, from obviously a very articulate artist. A shame it's so old though. Could the artist's views have changed..."