Dr. Dog - Fate

I first saw Dr. Dog live in 2004, opening for Architecture in Helsinki, and was immediately hooked on their enthusiastic garage rock sound. After an EP (Takers and Leavers) and more touring (with bands like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and The Black Keys), Dr. Dog released their fourth album, We All Belong, last year. Apparently all that touring was beneficial to the Philly quintet, as they're putting out their next full length album, Fate, on July 22nd. Fate starts off with some catchy doo-wop melodies on "The Breeze," a very aptly named song. The album continues in a more subdued vein, holding back on the rockin' that Dr. Dog is known for, and instead focusing on their jammy '60s side. No complaints here though, as songs like "Hang On" and "Army of Ancients" show Dr. Dog's love of The Band in its finest form, and a track like "The Old Days" is as close as you can get to a Beatles tribute track. Overall, Fate is a total throwback album and Dr. Dog don't do a thing to disguise that fact. But really, why should they? Their unabashed love of all things '60s makes for fun and easygoing music to listen to, and if that's what they're good at, then by all means, let's allow them to keep making music like this.

DOWNLOAD: Dr. Dog - Fate [Park The Van]
Recommended Tracks: "Hang On," "The Old Days," "The Ark," "My Friend."