If you're a fan of Philadelphia classic rock quintet Dr. Dog, you'll love their fifth album Fate, a varied, ambitious collection that strikes a balance between immediacy, timelessness, and Beatles-ness. We recently posted "The Old Days." This newday is a bit of a Dr. Dog gold rush. First of all, we have a multi-camera live video for Fate's "Hang On," allowing you an intimate look at how the Dogs construct their harmonies and psych-tinged hooks. Then there's another Fate gem "The Ark," along with a Q&A with the band. Note: They have an actual dog with them in the studio.
We spoke with the band about darker, dub-inflected "The Ark," which you can listen to as you read along. Again, gorgeous harmonies.
Dr. Dog - "The Ark" (MP3)
STEREOGUM: "The Ark" gets its title from the story of Noah, but there's more to it. The track discusses war, failure in love ("but what I gave only made her poor"), the false promise of a new land, etc. What's the overall story?
DR. DOG Well, you got the gist pretty good. The song is about deeds.Actions. This is a man who has found no solace in faith, mankind, love, or hope. These things to him are just another problem, yet he is determined to try. He's not sitting on his hands and waiting for the goose to waddle by crapping golden eggs. And he's also not blaming anyone or crying in his beard.
The first and the last lines of the versus are indeed biblical. The first is obvious.the second is from the end of the Noah story where he sends out a raven and a dove to find land on the endless sea. the raven never returns. But the dove comes back with an olive branch. They b-line it to the shore. Unfortunately, for our fellow there is no land, but he doesn't get discouraged. His meaning is found within the acts, not their outcome.
STEREOGUM: Where does this song fit musically/thematically within Fate?
DR. DOG: The song is the foil to "Army Of Ancients." In "Ancients," this bonehead doesn't do anything, ever. He's waiting around for things to get worse, letting it all go to hell. This album has a few of these kinds of pairings. The song, "Rabbit, The Bat, And The Reindeer" and "From" are about the same person. Only one is like "Positively 4th Street" and the other is like "Oh, Yoko."
STEREOGUM: Finally, what does it mean to be here?
DR. DOG: Well, for our friend in the song it means to keep doing. His reality is on earth in his guts. Keep on trucking.Keep on keeping on.Roll around in it.These are his seven pillars, his covenant to his self.One thing a man can always do is try.
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Fate is out 7/22 via Park the Van.
