Dr. Dog, 'Fate'

Philly psychedelic rockers deliver appealing classic-rock jams

By Matt Pais

Metromix

Backstory: This classic-rock-inspired quintet has made significant waves since it broke out of the Philadelphia scene about four years ago, earning lots of praise in the press and tour dates with Wilco, My Morning Jacket, the Raconteurs and more. Their fifth album, “Fate,” arrives in advance of a Lollapalooza performance and the beginning of an extensive American tour that lasts into mid-October.

Why you should care: Like chefs at a rock ‘n’ roll smorgasbord, Dr. Dog blend wavy guitar lines, escalating horns and plinking piano into a blend built for hazy road trips and ‘60s/’70s movie montages. Songs like “Hang on” and “The Rabbit, the Bat and the Reindeer” are bouncy tunes that seem sprung from late-night juke joints, sure to turn into sing-alongs by last call.

Verdict: This is irresistible rock nostalgia for those who knew its value before VH1 made it ironic. Occasionally, the band leans on its ancestors (the dull “100 Years”) rather than reinterpreting the music that came before, but nearly all of the songs on “Fate” jump into your head and lay down a well-worn yet cozy blanket. You won’t mind them sticking around.

X-Factor: The band has won fans with some pretty serious indie cred: Beck remixed Dr. Dog’s tune “The Girl” for a special seven-inch release, and Jeff Tweedy of Wilco claimed, “Everything about Dr. Dog and the way they sound draws on my favorite stuff on Earth.”