Holy Mother of Guinness, do I love this band! Coming across with all the bluster of The Clash mixed with the cheekiness of The Pogues. Or perhaps Richard Thompson if he was injected with a huge dose of Paul Weller. The British-based Drookit Dogs hail from Brighton and are made up of guitarist/vocalist Matt Oldfield, bassist/vocalist Matt White and drummer/vocalist Alex Kirkup.Want to blow out all the CRAP you've been subjected to lately, completely out of your body? Head over to their MySpace and point your mouse on that little morsel called "Cradle Song" which is also the first cut on their EP. To complete the instructions for enjoyment, turn this up LOUD! Then write me and say thank you for turning you onto your next favorite band.
"Cradle Song" is undeniably British with an undulating Kirkup drum intro that is the frothy, tall glass of welcoming into the world of the Dogs. Oldfield's several-pints-ahead-of-you-while-out-on-the-town voice sounds slightly familiar, like you've heard him before. Then the steady-as-she-goes rhythm of White and Kirkup combine to power you along this cut while the spare but enticing guitar adds the flavor. I like all their stuff but this song is special!
Following that up on the CD is the more straight-forward "Shut Up", an acerbic lash-back at somebody who is clearly not one the same page as the band. Switching gears suddenly is "Local Shop" which is the Brit-equivalent of Springsteen's "The River", only not so morose musically. Rounding out this stellar group is "I'd Rather Be On A Comedown", which has a sing-along chorus that pins your ears to the wall first time out.
Sadly the EP is not available in North America yet but hop on to their website and you can download these cuts and more. In particular, check out a tongue-in-cheek heavy song called "Female Singer-Songwriter" that's worth a laugh. Do one better, order the CD directly from the band and support a terrific group until they get their shot. Hell if the Boomtown Rats were able to have their moment in the sun, the Drookit Dogs can use them as their own fire hydrant. Yes, they're that good!