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.
This article appears in Apr 23-29, 2009.
