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 new day 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.
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.
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I was curious what a band in 2008 would sound like if they took 100% of their style and music cues from The Last Waltz. Now I know the answer is “derivative”, not “pysch-tinged”. It sounds good, but I’d rather put on Music From Big Pink instead, or go down to Anybar in Anytown,USA to check out one of the ten local bands who sound exactly the same. But I guess kudos to these guys for somehow getting noticed amongst the heap…
I disagree a bit with robbie. There’s a bit of a Big Pink/Basement Tapes feel to this, but it feels way more derivative of the Beatles/Beach Boys/Zombies in terms of vocals and production. I agree it’s derivative, but of more than just The Band. And I think you are way off saying you could go into “Anybar in Anytown, USA” and heard arrangements and harmonies this well crafted. In fact, I’m surprised that Dr. Dog hasn’t had a bigger response. Maybe this album will do that for them.
Haha. I love how people love to hate on Dr. Dog, or just completely love them. I’m in the 2nd group. I love this band, and I love everything they write/record/release. Incredible. Thanks Stereogum! And Robbie, if there were really a ton of bands that sounded like this, can you let me know? Because I think I would like them. Jerk.
I’M TYPING SO FUCKING HARD RIGHT NOW I MIGHT BREAK MY MACBOOK AIR!!!!!!!
i realy have no comment for dat it wuz a lil pointles lol but ok we got diddy and wayne on a blog together cant beat dat lmao but wayne u hitin hard rite now wit the miami crew fla is cuming hard diddy i thinks its time u jumped on the train with the fla rapers we takeing over …. just a thought
So, it feels like many of you dis this band because they sound like other bands at times. I struggle to find a problem with sounding like something great. These are totally different songs. They aren’t covers, they just emulate the greatest band ever from time to time. I think at times, they sound a bit like Wilco, Zappa, Phish and Bowie(Adrian Belew days) and again, those are great bands to be compared to.
Get over your hang-ups and enjoy the MUSIC. It’s pretty fantastic.
Not a huge fan, but not a hater either…i think Dr. Dog would get a lot more love if they had a better band name.
you’re correct. their name turns people off, but at least it’s easy to remember.
i was fortunate enough to get a SXSW wristband this year and out of all the bands I saw, Dr. Dog and the Whip were miles beyond the rest.
I would also put myself in the second group, Deductible. Any band that can somehow emulate the feeling/energy in “She’s So Heavy” (which I think the good doctor does) automatically gets some love from me. And taking cues from The Last Waltz? I don’t really mind that either, since I love that film and band so much I almost piss myself everytime I watch it. Congrats to Dr. Dog for being so heavily influenced by such legendary bands but not sound like a cheap rip-off. I wish some local bands in my corner of the world sounded like them…
5th album overall. This is their 3rd proper full length. Toothbrush and Passed Away are just a collection of songs that had been worked on before them.
The guy playing the banjo was just there to rock out with some friends.
Wow, thanks for the footage/interview Stereogum! Great stuff. These guys just keep getting better and better. What I’ve heard from the new album has got me eagerly anticipating 7/22. Definitely a sign of a great band…lovers & haters. If they stunk, nobody would waste their time commenting. It’s a free country & Robbie is entitled to share his opinion. That being said…sounds like sour grapes to me. Good Luck Dr. Dog.
Anyone who gripes about Dr. Dog sounding like other bands and can’t just enjoy the music is a sad miserable bastard. They are a wonderful band. Who gives a shit if they have influences? It’s time everyone realize that EVERYONE sounds like someone. As far as the Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin, etc… go, think about the insane amount of “borrowing” they did from artists that came before them.
I agree w/G … Everything is derivative. The Beatles were derivative (mix Carl Perkins, Buddy Holly, Everlys … start smoking pot and listening to Dylan after a few years). The Band, too (play cut-rate Sun Records rockabilly on speed for a few years, then mix in some Staple Singers, Impressions and Louis Toussaint-style groove) … Good bands do it with their own spirit. If you want to play spot-that-influence with Dr. Dog, it’s not too hard, and sometimes fun, but there’s no reason to get uptight about it. I think they’re great! Fun to watch live, too.
Why pick apart music? You either like it and listen, or you don’t listen. Id you don’t like it, spend your time typing elsewhere about music you like? Why beat people/musicians /artists up, or take your time, if you don’t enjoy listening? Go elsewhere and spend your time finding the music you like. You all think you sound like you think you are experts/critics?? Artists are artists… they don’t create for YOU…
i’m a big fan…and i thought the video was alright…is that scott in the glasses? he looks so different. and whose the dude in camo on the banjo?
banjo = doug. one of d.d’s founding members (chekc out his band doublehorse)
i’m a big fan…and i thought the video was alright…is that scott in the glasses? he looks so different. and whose the dude in camo on the banjo?
well this will fill the hole that the new islands has left in my heart nicely. and then some. sweet.
I Love them, everybody has to hear their song “My Friend” again it sounds like something we’ve all heard before, I just can’t point out what it is… maybe a combo of… Queen/Wilco/Zeppelin kinda of a sound…don’t know. . you have to hear yourselves.
5th album?
and did they add a member?
What a weird interview. Dr. Dog’s answers are wat weird, especiialy towards the end.
STEREOGUM: Finally, what does it mean to be here?
Good job guys! Psh..
Juan is right! “My Friend” is incredible. For some reason, it really reminds me of something by The Clash. The drums, and the overall way the song is put together is really reminicent of something from london calling. Its just the kind of song that makes you feel good.
For those of you that like to rag on the nerds in DD let me explain something. I grew up with these guys and many other musicians that have emerged from West Chester,and when everyone else has sole out to sell some ringtones DD stayed true to their friends, music, and most importantly each other. These guys spent 4 years in a shitty basement playing homemade Leslies and acordians creating their songs and are finally benefitting from their hardwork. They sound like the music they love, if you dont like them, listen to something else, trust me they dont mind, Slayer is in regular rotation in my cd player and they still have beers with me, and they would buy you a beer any day of the week…except tuesday mornings cause thats when mikens gets his hair done.
Yeah Ballz! I keep forgetting to ask you or the DD guys, but i still think it’s you in the alaska video.
check out mcelroy on them harmonies! go son!
I think Dr. Dog is some of the most original sounding music I have heard in a long time. I have been a Dog for years now and having met these guys several times and seen them play all over the US, I can say that they make some of the most honest music around. They are real as it gets and are not tainted by the music biz. I often lament the state of music is in nowadays, but Dr. Dog gives me hope. I wish them all the success that they deserve. And to all you nay sayers who like to summarize their sound as a Beatle-esqe or The Band-ish hack, PIzz Off !!! You sound go work for the phoney Obama Marxist Party and poo poo on something else. I am sure he would hire you.
Zack in the ATL. Woof !!!!
even rich man ask for more. even rivers ask for rain.
if anyone finds something lacking about dr. dog, they haven’t yet got the point. soullllllllllllllllll!
Man, this album is really incredible. Songs flow really well…as if you’re listening to a story. I think this will be one of my favorite albums of 08 for sure. Way to go Dogs. Word up.
Fate is the strongest album of the year and “Rabbit, The Bat, And The Reindeer” is the best song of the summer. These guys recently played a free show in Rittenhouse Square in Philly and they nailed it. A party.
Dr. Dog is love
Guau!!!!