The Moondoggies - Don’t Be a Stranger

The Moondoggies
Don’t Be a Stranger
Hardly Art
Grade: A-

I’ve always had a theory that every band with the name ‘dog’ in it was awful, or if they weren’t terrible the name made me think of bad outcomes. Well, apparently ‘doggies’ isn’t nearly as off-putting as I don’t have a visceral reaction to the moniker and this Americana, roots indie band can sure rock. The Moondoggies led by Kevin Murphy immediately hit you with their harmony-drenched Americana on the opener “Ain’t No Lord;” it is just beautiful music. With a feeling you might get from the Band or the Byrds, or some mainstream 70s southern rock band (thanks in large part to Rhodes piano), the Moondoggies continue to dazzle your eardrums with such winners as “Black Shoe,” “Changing,” the gospel dirge “Undertaker,” the long ass rocker “Jesus on the Mainline,” “Make it Easy,” and closer “I Want You to Know.” Don’t Be a Stranger is by far, in my estimation, the best record Hardly Art has put out to date and if they’re not careful they may take over sister label Sub Pop in putting out the coolest music.