The 90s were a great time in terms of music, alive with new takes on rock and numerous mainstream successes for a genre that was largely considered counterculture up until that point. Dogpark, releasing their first single as recently as 2023, seeks to bring back every aspect of the era, complete with everything from fire and brimstone sounds to laid-back hippie rock. Containing songs about disillusionment, love, and weaving complex lyrics throughout, there are very few tell-tale signs that Dogpark’s new EP “Until The Tunnel Vision Melts” isn’t a 90s rock staple.
Beginning as a go-to performer for California frat parties, Dogpark evolved into a five piece indie rock startup. The performance aspect is easily noticeable with varying pitches and hard bass lines. Prior to my first listen, I had very few expectations besides a 90s revival, but was met with impressive lyricism and catchy guitar melodies.
Tracks like “Storefront Cabana” contain message driven lines like “Nor do your tears, you’re not the first or last my dear / You’re all hung up / One said and done / You’re not the first to lose in love.” Being straightforward with the song’s plot, the vocalist scolds someone for being self-absorbed and unable to acknowledge that everyone goes through heartbreak. “Storefront Cabana” itself isn’t a favorite track, reminiscent of classic boy bands as opposed to pure rock due to the song’s simplistic lyricism and angsty vocals.
However, the true lyrical gold is found in tracks like “Caviar” and “Hollywood.” Swimming in imagery, these two tracks create a continuous film in my mind with verses like “Audemars with a broken face/A figure skater on a frozen lake/ Perfect nails just ugly paint” and “West coast dreaming/Two fictitious futures you composed/In your ancient prose//And I can’t seem to keep you close” respectively. Both of these are unique metaphors about superficial and delusional relationships. Rather than choosing the same tired figurative language that other artists use as a crutch, the wordplay that Dogpark creates feels entirely original.
The vocalists singing these astounding lyrics, however, tend to be hit or miss. Fitting like a glove in tracks like “Caviar,” “Dreamwalker,” and “Breakdown,” the high-set vocals, occasionally falsetto, and combined angst, become unsuitable in other tracks and easy to confuse with “Maroon 5” or “Big Time Rush.” The falsetto tracks in conjunction with other grittier, more serious tracks left a muddled sound that tainted the overall EP.
My favorite track of the album was “Caviar” for its lyrical genius and solid instrumentation. The drum introduction practically splashes and they have plenty of trepidation and mix between rhythmic drumming and fast paced pounding. The forceful backbone makes it easy to rock out to, while the vocal draw outs and experimentation reminded me of the “Arctic Monkeys.” Entirely engaging, this track stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Ultimately, I think my main issue with other tracks was a lack of engagement or coordination with the vocals and instrumentation. “Spanish Moss” felt like a definite low with too much reverb overlay and an odd 70s-fairytale-prom vibe that is both dizzying and corny. “Storefront Cabana” had a similar issue in the boy band direction, not creating a cohesive story and using an overly mechanical instrumentation.
However, because the EP contains multitudes from the jazz sounds of “Hollywood,” the fire and brimstone rock of “Breakdown,” and the folksy ballad that is “Dreamwalker,” the repertoire of Dogpark seems ever expanding. I’ll definitely be listening to “Caviar” on repeat, while saying “Bye, Bye, Bye” to the boy band-esque tracks like “Storefront Cabana.” For someone looking for a new take on 90s rock, this is a great way to start and find the niches that speak to you the most.
