Please Describe Yourself

by

Dogs Die in Hot Cars

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You may have found a new favorite band.

Dogs Die in Hot Cars is one of the wonderful surprises of the new year. Song after song off their album, "Please Describe Yourself" is a sonic delight, with several true gems amongst some killer filler. Most of the songs are uptempo, with guitars and pianos that would not sound out of place on New Wave radio back in the early 80's. Besides the obvious XTC references, some of the songs reminded me of "happy" Cure songs (like "Just Like Heaven") or later Oingo Boingo (not like their manic first three albums...).

The opening song, "I Love You Because I Have To", is a fine intro, but the title's actually better than the song itself.

No worries, as "Modern Woman" gallops along to a melodic rock beat and will more than likely have you saying, out loud, "Wow...this is pretty good!"

"Celebrity Sanctum" is a hoot...name-dropping female celebs with giggle-inducing lyrics. 'I love Lucy twice as much as you."

I feel they wear their XTC roots on their sleeves; one of their songs is called "Apples & Oranges"....a later XTC album is called "Oranges & Lemons". The lead singer's voice has an uncanny similarity to that of Andy Partridge, and their melodicism, instrument selection, and humor reflect, with pride, XTC's influence.

The high quality is maintained through songs like "Godhopping" and "Lounger"; the latter song could be the slacker generation's new anthem.

Seriously, nearly every song has something to recommend about it, and all are worth listening to once. MOST of them will have you returning to the album again and again. There are not many new albums you can say that about.