April 23, 2009 Music » Music Reviews

Dog Day 

Concentration (Outside Music)

by Sean Flinn

Though necessary in life, an act of concentration carries with it the risk of obsession and overreaction. We are each the author of our own doing and undoing. Be aware or beware what happens if you're not.

This is what Dog Day's second full-length, Concentration, tells us. And the band tells it in more simply constructed, smartly written songs. Co-producing with John Agnello, who produced Sonic Youth and others, the band balances its propulsive and melodic natures.

During the album's opening track, "Happiness," singer/guitarist (and main songwriter) Seth Smith sings, "Being a good person needs a lot of energy and hard work." You can take that as satire or as a straight statement about the experience of living in these times.

On "Rome," bassist Nancy Urich could be talking about the political and economic state of the world (and its leadership), or the self-destructing friend when she sings, "I don't know why you defend the fire that you fed." Urich has always sung backup and harmonies in Dog Day, but this small step up for her vocal presence makes a big difference in the overall sound and impact of the album. She can sound soothing and sinister as required by the song.

Dog Day has many dimensions we've yet to discover.

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