Dog Problems

Rolling Stone (p.69) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he quirky, orchestral power-pop album they'd always dreamed of making....[With] cheery vocal harmonies, an irrepressibly rhythmic bounce and lavish instrumentation." Spin (p.78) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[S]uperbly clever....[The songs] come to vivid life with singer Nate Ruess' acerbic, spot-on witticisms." Alternative Press (p.218) - "Lending serious chops to the proceedings are brother-and-sister duo Joey and Anna Waronker, as well as string arrangements a free-flowing '70s-AM-radio vibe..."

Tired of lamenting the split from a significant other locked in a dark room with Bright Eyes on repeat? Ready to turn that pain into a joyous singalong outside under the bright sun? Lucky for you, Arizona's the Format -- barely appearing phased at being dropped by Atlantic in 2005 -- have arrived with their self-released sophomore full-length, Dog Problems. Sure the album is mostly about singer Nate Ruess' most recent breakup and subsequent broken heart, but seriously, it's hands-down the feel-good album of the summer. After all, the heartache-induced lyrics of sarcasm and bitterness are in direct contrast to the sonic warmth emanating from every note-filled corner. Deftly elaborating on the sweet indie pop affair of 2003's Interventions and Lullabies, the guys have moved past straightforward ditties to craft songs that incorporate a wide range of instruments, tones, and occasionally, full-on orchestrations. "Time Bomb" immediately launches forth with exuberant vocal harmonies before the key-dancing chorus boogies to the front; the ironically catchy "The Compromise" -- which is the defiant result of Atlantic asking for a pop hit -- can be called radio-friendly in the best sense of the term. From a whimsical, carnival-esque air that appears sporadically throughout, the Format mix in horn sections, piano, banjo, handclaps and pretty much whatever else was lying around the studio when recording commenced. But every element is cleanly pulled off with such effortless charm, grace, and style that the songs in no way feel bogged down under the weight of the bands' ambition. The music never sounds forced or like the band is simply trying to be different through gimmicks; they've just matured into a new skin that fits as delightfully as their old. The Format were already showing obvious signs of being unable to write a bad song on Lullabies, but Dog Problems simply glows from beginning to end. It's like the music (both the gentle songs and high-energy ones) just can't help being fun and catchy, even if for some reason it didn't want to. The Format skirts cheesiness and cliche trappings by simply knowing how to make likable pop music that is entertaining and smart -- and they've absolutely never sounded better. ~ Corey Apar

アリゾナ出身の2人組がキラメキ・ポップ度120%のセカンド・アルバムをリリースです。ダンサブルな打ち込みのビートに、ピアノやバンジョー、ムーグに鉄琴、ストリングスにホーンまでを駆使した上モノとサニーな歌声を乗せた、素敵な素敵なギター・ポップ・サウンドがクセになる!　僕らの惚れた腫れたも、こんなふうに歌われたら、一大恋愛絵巻に仕上がっちゃうのです。ジェリーフィッシュ好きなら悶死確実の一枚。　
bounce (C)馬嶋 亮