Dogwood

Item: Matt Aragon
Author: Chris

Matt Aragon

(2001)

Reviewed by Chris

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Label Tooth & Nail RecordsDecapolis2001

pop punk power pop punk skate punk

This is Dogwood's 6th full-length record (the first was released in 1996) and their 3rd on Tooth and Nail Records. They are often said to have the "Fat Wreck sound" though in recent years have taken a slightly more progressive turn.

As a long time Dogwood fan, I would normally be eagerly awaiting this release. But after hearing their last album, "Building a Better Me", the word "eager" doesn't come close to describing my anticipation of a new record. Well, for those of you who share my excitement, let me excite you further by saying Dogwood has done it again! Though I can't necessarily say this record is better than the last, it is, in my opinion, just as good, just as interesting, just as lyrically powerful. But for those of you who aren't very familiar with the band, I'll back up.

On the surface, many people might lump Dogwood in with all the other "hyper-beat" punk bands. True, a decent chunk of the music on this record is played at that speed -- part of its charm, in my eyes. But Dogwood is not your typical punk band. Though they clearly look to bands like NOFX and Lagwagon for inspiration, this record (as well as the last) has an extra quality of not simply being a collection of songs, but it can truly be described as an "album," a large work made up by many parts.

This approach to songwriting and album writing is one that is more well known as something bands like Pink Floyd and The Beatles would do, but that's exactly why it's so powerful. While there are a couple of "singles" that can be enjoyed on their own ("1983", "Do or Die"), Dogwood's music is most accurately enjoyed by playing the whole album straight through. The musical and thematic flow is fantastic, most beautifully demonstrated by the songs "Singular", "Challenger", "Reasoner".

It's hard to describe in words how well this album comes together, I highly suggest you pick it up and hear for yourself. I must note that I rate this album (again, as well as the last) up there with NOFX's "Punk In Drublic" and "The Decline" as some of the best punk rock artistry to have ever been released. This commentary wouldn't be complete without some mention of their lyrical content. Although many bands put themselves under the "Christian" music umbrella (not to mention all the sorry saps who ask that they PLEASE not be labelled as such), Dogwood sets themselves apart by being blatant with their messages and lyrics. "Do or Die" is easily the best Christian-themed punk song I've ever heard, I could honestly describe it as a Psalm. "My hands are Yours for works, my eyes will seek until I've found You, my legs will walk the earth until You tell me my work is through, I want to make it up, I want to die to myself for You (You are the one that I love) I owe my all to You... 'Cause when it came to do or die, You died for me..." And on the untitled acoustic track, "And the stripes on His back, can you see them? Can you imagine? And the holes in His hands can you feel them? Nails pierce the skin. And the feet that He stood on so broken, His spirit still strong. And the love that He's given to me is forever long."

Finally I must mention the recording quality -- for many of us, the name Ryan Greene is synonymous with "punk rock perfection" so I have to thank T&N for sending Dogwood to record with him, who is most well known for all of NOFX's best albums as well as a ton of other Fat Wreck Chords releases. To summarize, buy this album, you'll love it (and if you don't, give it to a friend, I'm sure they will).