Not even a year has passed since punk-rockers Dogwood released Building a Better Me and already enough material has been collected and compiled to form their latest offering, Matt Aragon. Drawn from an aborted attempt at a 'punk musical' as well as songs written between October and January 2000, this album is a scattered blend of curiously melodic and signature tracks.
The album opens with a strangely soft acoustic guitar in harmony with the strains of a harmonica. "1983," though deceptively quiet to begin with, suddenly bursts into an explosion of sound and energy a few seconds into the track. The song, as explained by guitarist Sean O'Donnell, is about childhood dreams versus reality. Dedicated to this year's graduating class, 1983 refers to the birth year of many current high school seniors.
"Nothing Is Everything," springs back to the energy-charged 'rocker' track this San Diego, CA band is known for. "Lonely Road" picks up the punk influences where track one left off, featuring a driving guitar and drum track, and real life lyrics to match.
Track five, "Juice," conveys both musically and lyrically, the deep frustration of trying to live a godly life amidst the pressures and human irritations of daily life. The song chronicles feelings from the top all the way to the bottom of the emotional scale and the realization that the author has strayed from where he needed to be.
"Do Or Die" is a solemn yet boisterous worship song. "When it came to do or die/You died for me/Though I would be nothing perfect/For human eyes to see."
Tracks eight, nine and ten: "Singular," "Challenger," and "Reasoner" all cover the topic of witnessing and the various frustrations associated with an unreceptive person and personal failings, while the final track, "Ballad Of Hope," is a sincerely worshipful song of thanks to God for salvation.
Matt Aragon once again harnesses Dogwood's live energy and compacts it into a portable concert. The album reveals the continuing maturity of the band as well as proving the band still rocks.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis 2001Reviewed by ChrisThis 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…Art for the Ears 2001Reviewed by Marco PovervestBuilding A Better Me, Dogwood's last record was an enjoyable effort. I still listen to it from time to time. Energetic poppy punk. Power pop punk. Matt Aragon is in the same vein. First of all, Matt Aragon is a real person who's described as 'our man in Amsterdam' and 'the super glue that has held Dogwood together when we got tired'. Got tired? These guys must be joking! You can't imagine it when…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Trae CadenheadHave you ever been on AOL Instant Messenger and been prompted to download an upgrade? So you download the upgrade and install it and quickly find that the new version is virtually identical to the old version. This is what I find with Dogwood's new album Matt Aragon. Right on the heels of their last album Building a Better Me, one of the best punk rock albums released in recent years, Matt Aragon…Similar sounding releases
2002NOFX45 or 46 Songs That Weren't Good Enough to Go on Our Other Records
2002Strung OutAn American Paradox
2005ChampionTime Slips Away
2005Strike AnywhereTo Live in Discontent
1999Diesel BoySofa King Cool
1998MxPxLet It Happen
