The 14 explosive and inspiring songs combine a variety of contemporary styles without denying their roots. The album surprises with a variety of tones, moods, dynamics, and tempos, accompanied by their never fading energy and positive attitude. DOG EAT DOG's bi-continental lineup and their unique approach to sound and performance has always made them a must-see live act.
With "Free Radicals," the band reminds listeners why many consider them one of the pioneers of the crossover genre.
Ages ago I saw them on stage at Pukkelpop. They performed between Rammstein and Marilyn Manson. Nowadays both mentioned bands are headliners, whilst Dog Eat Dog will still be booked on a daytime slot. It’s a bit sad, but we missed some more hits (besides Who’s The King, No Fronts, Isms & Rocky). Time to discover if this new album will help them get a bit more in the spotlights and out of the daylight slots!
Lit Up is one of the singles and lights up the start of the album: feel the energy, feel the fire and the perfect drive! The chorus is catchy as hell and I’m wandering why I didn’t hear it yet on our national radio’s? they mix their old school crossover style with a more modern sound and bring with this the perfect single (who should have opened the path to new fame, so if this is the first time you hear it you can say the PR people failed here as it really has the potential and the fire within or you are living under a rock).
Kin sounds as if they have a new vocalist, but I think it’s just a smart studio track. The sound of this track is warm, the backings sweet and the lyrics point out they are a family. Next to that I hear some raps too, just as heavy guitar riffs and hammering drums.
Never Give In brings in the sax and some kind of a duet. I like the powerful and positive lyrics, just as the powerful chorus! This one must be a great track to perform on stage and should get a lot of positive feedback from the crowd! The scratching is also a cool thingie! It was indeed a good idea to get this one out as a single!
Time Won’t Wait starts with a sharp guitar sound and vocals that spit out the words on a fast tempo, speeded up by the screaming backings! Hurry, hurry, rush … That describes the whole feel of the track and the lyrics!
1 Thing starts slowly with a reggae feel and a touch of JJ Cale (Cocaine)& Joe Jackson. It’s nice the hear the bass so clearly. Other great thing is that the vocals sound a bit different here too. Towards the end the guitars take over, just as the backings!
Mean Str " features a verse from „Rudeboy“ of the influential Urban Dance Squad flowing like only he can. The guitars are on the lead, whilst the vocals sound pretty sweet.
Energy Rock hasn’t stolen it’s title and sounds just like the given name! Rock on with a layer of Rage against The Machine and raw power! Keep it fresh and rocking!
@Joe’s sounds like a party track from the 80’s with great backings and almost a disco/rock party feel! Be ready to jump around and scream along! Party on with this amazing track! Have fun, smile, be happy …!
Blvk Clvd storms from the start: high tempo, catchy backings, a punk rock attitude and all fired up! This one must be a great one to perform on stage too and fire up the audience!
Bar Down sounds like a new experiment with a newer sound (comes close to R’nB with a more electronic minded part). It’s almost unbelievable that this is the same band performing this track! The lay down feeling sounds good, but you have to chew through this newer sound before you start to appreciate it! The strings are a nice extra touch!
Man’s Best Friend is a dog, whilst the music mixes rap with metal/rock/punk and catchy backings on fire! The scratching and crossover sound fits them and makes from this song their new anthem: everybody loves Dog Eat Dog aka a dog is a man’s best friend!
E1on1 is a straight forward rocker with the perfect tempo and a great sound! The little catchy break is also a good show off and should be on stage a clap with your hands momentum!
Looking Back is a sweet rock with a low tempo. I like the lyrics who look back at the (their) past!
Zamboni is the last track and sounds like a sweet ballad with a bluesy (Christmas-minded) undertone. The female backings are a nice extra touch.
It’s a very surprising album with a lot of potential and a lot of variety (genre’s, sound, vocals, …). To me this is a great comeback album! I hope they get back on stage again and play on a better time slot each time and get again a wider fanbase as with this album I can say they totally deserve it! I really enjoyed it and can confirm they choose to do it the right way and choose not to copy 14 tracks over and over! Congratulations!
Live FREE RADICALS TOUR at Zappa on November 12th with GROVE STREET & KINGS NEVER DIE!
