Dr. Dog has long walked the line between indie-rock stardom and virtual obscurity, but if it keeps releasing albums like Shame, Shame, the thought of obscurity will be quickly forgotten. 
Ripe with driving bass lines and sweeping harmonies, Shame, Shame is yet another home run from the folk-rock sluggers, and it is an impressive follow-up to the critically acclaimed 2008 release Fate, when even the most loyal of fans struggled to see any room for improvement on such a great album.
Shame, Shame is far from a letdown off of a successful album; in fact it may be the band’s best work yet.
Songs like “Shadow People,” “Jackie Wants a Black Eye” and “I Only Wear Blue” are great examples of how Dr. Dog can stay true to its distinctive sound while still growing and maturing as innovative musicians.
Among the familiar sounds of Dr. Dog are the voices of co-lead singers Toby Leaman and Scott McMicken. Although Leaman’s raspy notes and the resonating tenor of McMicken are completely unique, the tones also seem as if they were made for one another. And the bond shows in the ubiquitous Beatles- or Beach Boys-esque harmonies and varied vocal textures exhibited on the album.
Also making welcome reappearances are Leaman’s masterful driving bass lines (one of the most outstanding elements of Dr. Dog’s music), the reverberating snare that almost adds the nostalgic rhythm of a steam engine to the songs, and the brilliant guitars, especially on display in “Where’d All The Time Go?” and “Mirror, Mirror.”
All these elements come together to make an album that may already be making bids to be among the best of 2010, and it’s only April! Shame, Shame is certainly a stride in the right direction for a band that already seems to be sprinting towards indie-rock greatness, and the real shame would be if you didn’t check it out for yourself.
Don’t miss your chance to catch one of the most enjoyable live performances you’re likely to see as Dr. Dog performs in Nashville at Cannery Ballroom on May 6! Click here for tickets.