What could I possibly write about the band Dr. Dog that hasn’t already been written by a million or so bloggers on the internet?…Damn thats a good question; honestly, I’m not exactly sure how to answer it.
Well, let’s start here. Dr. Dog is our best hope. I’m not going to stir your emotions with Beatles comparisons, although I’ve heard them a million times before (both negative and positive) in regards to this band. However, I will say that it’s ridiculous for anyone to ever negatively compare a band to the Beatles…
Dr. Dog is the best band of my generation thus far. Best, because unlike the Strokes, or the White Stripes, or maybe even the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, there isn’t anything really marketable or trendy about them. Maybe I should substitute the word “best” with “most-accurately representative of what us kids are really like on the inside.” No real hipster pandering, eye makeup, or snazzy haircuts. All I see is some simple guys with killer songs and good vibe. I’ve met members of the band on a few occasions and still wouldn’t recognize most of them on the street or at a party. They are the quintessential thing in music that I can’t find anywhere else. Their combination of quality song writing, with lo-fi recordings and underground asthetic, is the best example of what seems to be the best contribution my generation is making to planet earth. Faceless, nameless, accessible-to-everyone, quality artwork. It’s why the whole world is buzzing about YouTube and Myspace, it’s a cultral phenomenom that no one has quite fingered yet.
Dr. Dog’s music is good, but it sounds a little dirty. Okay fine, you want a Beatles reference? Think about the four Liverpool lads taking their suits off, going down to the basement of Abbey Road with a few joints and a four-track recorder, growing in some itchy beards and spending three-days straight working on a love song…thats what I hear in a Dr. Dog recording.
However, where the Dr. Dog/Beatles comparisons die is where sadly my generation begins to seperate itself from maybe that of my mommy’s. They still don’t really say shit. I mean they make really cool songs with very cool effects, and their albums are the kind you can throw on and never have to touch the FFWD. button, but to be honest, I can’t recall a single lyric from any one song that stands out.
Maybe it’s because this is a young band that simply hasn’t found it’s muse yet…it’s not like the 
Beatles STARTED out singing “Revolution” and “All you need is love.” Maybe this is still just like 1962 for my generation…you know the precipice before the storm where no one is exactly sure what to say, but we all want to say something! Maybe Dr. Dog is the single best example of my generation right now because they make a great buzz on the internet, but in the end they don’t really say shit. And maybe the Beatles comparisons that EVERY indie/pop band gets nowadays is really just a thinly veiled cry for help from people my age for one of our talented promising bands to step the fuck up, stop whining about your girlfriend/dressing in her jeans, and write some music that moves us to do something more than just add you as a friend.
…Okay see what I just did there? I said I wouldn’t compare them to the Beatles but then I did just to piss you off. Truth be told, it’s a terribly-ridiculous comparison. No band can ever be compared to The Beatles until they can produce a 10-year string of hit records and a matching tenure of cultral signifigance. Dr. Dog is a great band, but such lofty comparisons are completely unfair. I’m sure they weren’t started by the band itself and I’m sure they would quickly dissmiss such nonsense. However, there is a ton of talent in those songs. SO much talent you only can hope that Dr. Dog sustains their potion, keep challenging themselves, and continue to churn out songs that make us feel good.
Go listen. 
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September 27th, 2006 at 8:27 am
Mike - loved the article.
December 11th, 2006 at 1:18 pm
At least the Beatles comparisans aren’t as ubiquitous as the “next Bob Dylan”. Nice work though- enjoyed the anti-whine stance…
March 15th, 2007 at 3:02 am
like the article .. dr dog defintely could be in a early phase before they make it big? This music has so much appeal. The new album is graet It’s vintage but the guys keep it fresh;