PRINTSound advice
October 12, 2006 | 12:00 a.m. CST
Dr. Zhivegas — Get Down
VV
“Can I get your attention, baby?” Dr. Zhivegas asks listeners on the opening track of its debut, Get Down. After 10 years of listening to covers, fans are awaiting Dr. Zhivegas’ studio release, an energetic dance rock record with catchy lyrics, in-your-face vocals and infectious beats.
The album might catch the attention of fans, but their money would be better spent on seeing the band perform live. The album, which barely clears half an hour, features nine original tracks. This is a CD for dancing — each track is heavy on guitars, drums and synthesizers. It’s not a great choice for alone time with your iPod — you’ll quickly notice cheesy lyrics and tracks that blend together. In an attempt to stray from the record’s ever-present dance rock, funk tracks such as “Crazy” and “Do You Wanna?” break up the monotony by incorporating horns. The variation works — “Crazy,” with its slower tempo, is one of the strongest songs.
Lead singer Frankie Muriel sums up the feel on “Do You Wanna?”: “If you want to rock your body/Come and dance with me.” Get Down will get your endorphins up, but you won’t escape the feeling that Dr. Zhivegas would be more fun if you were whipping out your moves at a concert.
— Elizabeth Chan
The Doxies — In Search Of...
V
If you’re seeking a soundtrack for your next road trip, look no further than the The Doxies’ new release. The Columbia band’s sound combines Brit pop and indie rock elements à la The Kinks with just enough country twang for an upbeat kick. The short, catchy melodies of The Doxies’ fourth album, In Search of…, are perfect for sing-a-longs. There’s a part for every passenger, as all five members contribute vocals. No need to be shy if you’re out of tune — even The Doxies aren’t consumed by pitch-perfection. The few flat notes don’t sound like mistakes, but instead come across as heartfelt expressions inspired by the music-making.
For road-trippers who don’t rock the vocals, there’s plenty of time for the air guitar. Screaming electric guitar solos appear around the midpoint of most songs, sometimes when they’re least expected. The third track, “Touch and Go,” opens like a country line dance with syncopated guitar riffs and snare drum snaps marking the back beats. Before you know it, The Doxies throw in a stereotypical gritty electric guitar solo.
Most of the 11 songs on In Search of… follow a consistent verse-chorus structure, but the last track, “All These Years,” breaks the mold. It begins like the others but ends with an instrumental dreamscape. In the final, vocal-free minutes, listeners get to know The Doxies as intricate musicians. The driving force of bass and drums layered with ascending resonator guitar scoops, piano flourishes and vibraphone-like Rhodes piano accents set a scenic soundtrack for breezing down any highway.
— Melissa Martinson
Kodiak — Swallow EP
VV
Kodiak takes a stab at making its mark in Columbia this month with the EP Swallow. Courtesy of Eric Mericle
Kodiak’s first EP, Swallow, is 19 minutes of early Cursive-like rock that doesn’t break boundaries but hints at bigger things to come.
Starting with the intriguing five-minute wall of sound, “Capaha Locomotive,” the band slowly builds up instrumentation until a slow ride of drums, bass and guitars permeates the track. Then, two sets of screaming vocals come in, and the song fluctuates between frenzied guitar distortion and slow melody backed by drummer Mike Weston’s syncopated kit work.
“Organized Etc.” is a four-and-a-half minute jam that starts bland and becomes a beast. Grungy guitars start it out, and the song becomes an instrumental, bass-heavy noise machine after two minutes. Guitars and drums, not lyrics, tell the story.
Kodiak isn’t as accomplished as other local acts, but Swallow is a promising start. Time will tell if these guys become standouts or an inconsequential garage band.
