The Sheepdogs’ new LP of groovy 70s inspired tunes has an expiration date

By: Sarah MacDonald –

Striking gold and becoming the  next big thing is a huge deal and the aspiration of many bands. Get it together, make a demo, tour in shitty bars but do what you love, right? If/when the major label record deal is scored, what’s next?

The Sheepdogs, winners of the “Choose the Cover of Rolling Stone” contest last August, accurately named their major label record simply titled The Sheepdogs because the record is uncomplicated, laid back – as first track “Laid Back” does (repetitively) in setting the tone—but there is something innately missing from it. It lacks the oomph, specialness, and cool style the band seem to imply. It does not strive for nor push forward in any real innovative way. It builds on existing retro tunes that are, arguably, way cool and not truly terrible sounding.

Did we expect too much from them? Probably. But heading straight to the cover of a major music magazine implies a sort of entitled musicianship not totally earned just by being undiscovered.

Black Keys drummer extraordinaire Patrick Carney produced the record and it is rife with cues taken from and overused by The Black Keys themselves.  “Feeling Good” begins with the same drum beat you would find on any song – notably “Howlin` For You” — of the last two Black Keys records. Isn’t time to utilize solid percussion in a different, innovative way?

“Javelina! “ is the best track on the record hands down. It saves The Sheepdogs from becoming a one note disaster and propels The Sheepdogs in the direction they could and should be taking. No lyrics, just melody, harmony and an amazing groove. The Sheepdogs are talented fellas and “Javelina!” proves that. It is sublime and elation; a song in which you can easily lose yourself in over and over again.

Everyone may dig it but it has an expiry date. It is a start nevertheless, a regrouping since becoming (mainstream) discovered, and here is hoping they move on and up away from the mantra of “Alright Ok.”