Hellcat – Release Date: 8/31/10
On their previous album, 2008’s State of Grace, The Street Dogs fearlessly explored varying genres with great success. Each song differed from the last and the record truly served to reinvent and redefine the band. For better or worse, 2010’s self-titled offering goes back to the basics. Comprised of 18 songs, Street Dogs rarely deviates from the conventional formulas of classic street punk. That’s not to say that positives can’t be found on this album, but by and large, it’s a significant regression from their last record. Entries deserving of mention include a spirited anthem called “Punk Rock and Roll”, a rousing, Celtic-tinged romp dubbed “The Shape of Other Men” and an introspective, heartfelt proclamation named “Oh Father”. Also noteworthy is a reworked version of “Fighter”, a fan-favorite from their 2003 album Savin Hill. The production, courtesy of Rick Barton, leaves something to be desired, as does the predictable, no-frills artwork. Worst of all, though, is the excessive duration, because with nearly 20 similar-sounding tracks, the record just feels bloated and ambiguous. Maybe in a live setting, a place where the Street Dogs excel, these songs could be better received.
