Woof
The debut EP from Symmetrical Dogs is here and the creative three piece deliver a hell of a first look at what’s going on in their heads. When a live show and studio sound can be different while still displaying the personality of a band, you know there is something special going on.
The tone is set from opener James, with singer Claire Stanwix going spoken word. It seems sparse but over the duration the synth sounds build from sweet chords to outer space in a gorgeous minor melody. The backing spoken vocals are a nice touch.
With Americana we get a chance to hear the guitar drums and vocal songwriting, and the band keep it minimal but intense. Is laid back punk rock a thing? Think a nineties Big Thief (I’ll refrain from any more comparisons as the sound is very original). Hang around until the end for a great little guitar lick from Michael Wooldridge – is there anything finer than a riff played just a couple of times at the end of a track?
Bossanova follows the sound, and the simple stripped production suits Stanwix’ laid back, confident vocals perfectly. It’s another example of the engaging acoustic guitar work from Wooldridge. Boyd Jarvis’ percussive chops should not be discounted either, especially when we hit the short soundscape that is Birthday Rabbit Foot Wish. Nice choice for the title track.
Apologies and Grapes is a great song name, and Stanwix shows off she can do more than laid back. It may be a hint only, but I suspect she’s got a pretty serious range. She sings “I’m so sorry I’m too much, I am so sorry I’m not enough” in some of the starkest and best lyrics of the record.
I suspect closing track 2000 is the sound this band will keep producing more of, finding themselves somewhere between nineties acoustic grunge and modern alt rock (no direct comparisons this time :). The synthscape behind the drums and acoustic guitar is another world, and there is a great vocal back and forth between multiple Claire’s. By the end of the song/EP they get as close to the rock-out sound that makes the live show so energetic.
The EP is a great first effort from Symmetrical Dogs. Imagine what will happen when they get hold of even catchier hooks. I say when, not if, for a reason.
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