With My Little Dog China's debut, "The Velvis Carnival." first impressions are important. Evenbefore the first chord, the album slogan "It's the machine that churns blood to green" and opening argument found in the lyric sheet give an indication of the band's dedication and direction. They identify "The Machine" as "the music industry, media and church...We can either believe the lie and swallow the package the 'machine' spits out or we can try to destroy it by exposing it..." It's an individuality and non-conformist attitude that is only concerned with the truth. The punk spirit of MLDC and The Velvis Carnival is evident in more ways than one.
The music, a noise-pop/punk mixture that draws from the likes of Sonic Youth and Starflyer 59, is certainly rough enough to stand apart from the system on its own. Vocalist/guitarist Kevin Clay, bassist Mike Belfield and drummer Jason House are the noise culprits; producer Steve Hindalong (The Choir) is the associate in what might be his most aggressive board-work ever. Recorded pre- and post-ludes give the indication that the record was cut live in the studio; whatever the method, "Carnival" is very raw - very indie rock. The songs fluctuate between shouting out for attention ("Entanglement [The Web]," "Her Machining") to actually insert a hook or two ("Why?," "Eggshells"). Either way, it's a captivating, energetic, hard alternative.
Which is the phrase that could also describe the lyrics. Advanced beyond the normal debut, My Little Dog China identifies specific trappings and lies of today's greed-driven society and what it's like to try to live a holy life within it. The marvelous wordplay is enhanced by a handwritten lyric sheet with symbols that help determine the points. Often, only important phrases are printed that are integral to the song and album's theme. The song "Her Machining," from where the "blood to green" slogan originates, is framed by the beginning line of "I lose my mind for what I can find" and ending of "I lose my mind for what I can't find." Lyrical nuggets like these abound on "The Velvis Carnival," though it's much more rewarding to find them on your own.
Although by the uniqueness of their sound and spirit, it is possible to be drawn to My Little Dog China only by their music, one would be missing the relevance of the band's subject matter. And that they profess to not have all the answers is a refreshing stance. As they sing in the album's appropriately-titled "Listen," "In time you will find the questions are enough."