David Moore
My Lover, My Stranger
Doghouse (2009)
My Lover, My Stranger is the first solo record from David Moore, formerly of Chamberlain and Split Lip. It is difficult to imagine Moore extricating himself completely from a self-imposed anonymity in order to refashion himself as some indie country troubadour, but from the sounds of this, at times, intimate album, he is attempting just such a feat. Considering the … Read more
Jet Lag Gemini
Fire the Cannons
Doghouse (2008)
Doghouse Records used to be one of my favorite labels. Their early roster included Endpoint, Falling Forward, Split Lip, etc. who in the 90's defined the vastly underrated Louisville/Midwest hardcore sound. It was emotive but heavy, melodic but hard; the sound was just everything great about the middle part of the country that happened in the last decade. Owner Dirk … Read more
Koufax
Strugglers
Doghouse (2008)
My preconceptions about Koufax are somewhat idealized. I put them in the better, earlier days of Vagrant Records, before Dashboard blew up beyond belief and before they started signing bands like Senses Fail. I remember first hearing "Younger Body," from their second full-length Social Life, on a compilation and being inexplicably drawn to the melodies and simplicity of Koufax. They … Read more
Limbeck
Hi, Everything's Great
Doghouse (2003)
Consistency is a hard thing to perfect. Too many bands aim too high and pollute their great ideas with sub-par songs, whereas an equal amount simply don't try hard enough or cop out for easy formulas, making their songs generic and boring in the process. Limbeck is one of those bands who manages to get things right for the most … Read more
Limbeck
Limbeck
Doghouse (2007)
The fact that Limbeck call Orange County, CA home is a bit of a head-scratcher. Based on their home, you'd be more likely to expect a hardcore or punk band as opposed to an alt-country outfit. On their fourth full-length effort (third for Doghouse) the band continues to deliver a fun and upbeat mix of pop, country, and Americana. And … Read more
Say Anything
...is a Real Boy
Doghouse (2004)
Sometimes a simple idea for a record can be injected with such brutal honesty and wit that all simplicity is somehow lost in translation. As far as I know, ...is a Real Boy was intended to be a rock opera of sorts, but somewhere along the lines the idea sort of went awry. Either way, the songs on ...is a … Read more
The Honorary Title
Anything Else But the Truth
Doghouse (2004)
I'm not going to lie. I first heard this band from one of those Myspace features, and I'm rather glad I did. I was interested in what this band sounded like after I saw their record cover, which displays a discerning-looking panda bear soaking in blood with human body parts in its mouth. Well all right! The sticker on the … Read more
