Dog Society is Brian Schnaak, Bruce Erik Brauer, Rich Guerzon, and Joe Ranieri. They are out of Queens. The name of the band is taken from the Hidatsa Indian Tribes of the Cheyenne nation who played a major role in resistance to American expansion. “A fitting name for a group of NY rock rebels that have cast off the major label machine, held true to their camaraderie and succeeded in coming into their own as a band through their individual journeys.” In this third release, following ‘Test Your Own Eyes’ and ‘Emerge’, Dog Society displays a maturity and a self-assuredness that permeates the entire recording. The sound is rock solid, and like a skilled surgeon there is no wasted movement. To me every little sound and nuance is like it was meant to be perfection. I cannot get over how polished the performances are. Dog Society makes it sound so easy that I feel I should put my own guitar and bass away and become an insurance salesman. Their influences range from The Beatles, to Nirvana, to The Flaming Lips.
Bruce Erik Brauer’s guitars rarely use too much overdrive and are recorded very well. Check out the left/right balance on ‘Our Own Parade’. Rich Guerzon’s bass and Joe Ranieri’s drums sit in the mix like one instrument. I cannot say enough about the vocals. Brian Schnaak has the perfect voice for this band.
The very first track, ‘Heal Me Friend’, makes me want to reach for the volume knob. A pleasing gritty sound pounding its way to the finish of soft sitars that just for an instant brings The Beatles to mind.
‘Oleander Girl’ is magnificent in it’s simplicity and melancholy, and the Rhodes keyboard gives the song the loneliness the lyrics suggest.
The title track, ‘In The Shade’, has a very cool bass line that I’m going to spend some time trying to figure out. The line gives the song a sweet shuffle that sticks in the mind.
Without a doubt “The Laughing Song” is my favorite song on the whole album. Could it be the bass line? Could it be the power and simplicity of the chorus…the guitar solo? Maybe it’s because I identify with the lyrics, and just maybe it’s a message to me alone.
“And how could they walk right by?”
“I’ll send someone back to retrieve you…”
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‘In The Shade’ is an excellent work that I’ll be listening to a lot. It’s due to be released on July 22, so save up your Samolians for this one. And hey, if you guys play down around the Baltimore and D.C. area let me know, I’ll be there!
Find Dog Society online at these convenient Locations near you…
http://dogsociety.tv/
https://www.facebook.com/DogSocietyNY
https://soundcloud.com/dog-society
http://dogsociety.bandcamp.com/
http://www.reverbnation.com/dogsociety
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgdbBkUBC8Xv5eKGwOig5VA
