The Love Dogs
New Tricks
Tone-Cool
New Tricks is the third CD for the Boston-based band the Love Dogs. As the name implies, the band has infused some new sounds to their repertoire. The 14-song CD includes their signature big-band sound, with swing tunes and R&B rhythms. A few songs have a little more jump added to them. The CD opens with “Don’t Bug Me,” an explosive tune hearkening back to early roots rock, with the lead singer doing his best rock voice. “Long, Long Day” has a George Thorogood feel, with primal drums and a sinister guitar riff. “Watch That Dog” leaps the band into Zydeco territory, and “Hand It Over” backs it out with a gospel lesson for everyone down and out. The songs are all light and upbeat, with a female vocalist singing the humorous “Richest Guy in the Graveyard.” With horns, piano and a swing sensibility, the bulk of the CD maintains a lounge-act feel with a little funky guitar or Latin spice sprinkled in the mix. The Love Dogs describe themselves as a rootsy R&B band, but perhaps with all these new tricks, it sounds like they left those old influences behind.
Tone-Cool Records, 6 Abbott Road Annex, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481; http://www.tonecool.com
