Lost Dogs - "Mutt"

Lost Dogs - Mutt

2004, Fools of the World

1. If You Want To

2. The Lust, The Flesh, & The Pride of Life

3. Like a Cloud

4. Grace is the Smell of Rain

5. Sunshine Down

6. To Cover You

7. It's So Sad

8. Ain't Gonna Fight It

9. Beautiful Scandalous Night

10. I'm Setting You Free (But I'm Not Letting You Go)

So I've been on a bit of a Lost Dogs kick if you couldn't tell. Mutt is basically a cover album. The Dogs cover songs from each other's bands. Does it work? Abso-friggin'-lutely. I really didn't go into this album expecting much but I came out with that much more appreciation for the songwriting talents of Terry, Derri, and Mike. I have to say that it really made me appreciate the 77's songs more because I've never been a huge fan for some reason. Naturally this makes me want to check out some more 77's. This is a quiet acoustic album not unlike Nazarene Crying Towel but I think I liked this one better simply because I was more familiar with the songs and enjoyed the arrangements. I can't say that they completely top the originals, but they are great versions that stand side by side with them. I'm starting to think that I'm going to have to take back every bad thing I said about the band's post-Gene work because I've ended up really liking it.

Useless Fact: The only new song on this album is the closer "I'm Setting You Free (But I'm Not Letting You Go)" which is about Steve Hindalong watching his daughter go to college. This naturally made me think about when my 9-week old Alexis inevitably goes off to college and turned me into a blubbery mess. So thanks for that, Steve.

Lost Dogs - "Old Angel"

Lost Dogs - Old Angel

2010, Fools of the World

1. Israelites & Oakies

2. Dancin' on the Devil's Elbow

3. Turn It Around

4. The Glory Road

5. America's Main Street

6. Traveling Mercies

7. Dust in My Bowl

8. Pearl Moon

9. The World Is Against Us

10. Wicked Guns

11. Goodbye Winslow

12. Desert Flowers

13. Dead End Diner

14. Carry Me

15. Old Angel

In a just world Old Angel would be a high profile release. The Dogs would be on the covers of magazines and you'd be able to run on down to Walmart to get their newest release. Sadly, with the sorry state of the Christian Music Industry, Old Angel, will struggle in obscurity. It's sad because it's probably their finest release to date, but in a way I'm okay with that. Old Angel is way too good for the Christian Music Industry anyway. They would have taken the concept and either destroyed it before it was born or turned it into fluffy feux-evangelistic nonsense. Fans know that this disc is the result of a road trip taken by the Dogs in 2008 in an endeavor to follow the old historic Route 66 for no other reason that it might be fun to do so. The result is fifteen (er... maybe fourteen) finely crafted songs all about that Glory Road.

The band replaces most of the genuine country influences embedded in the Lost Cabin disc with a bit more folk and alt-rock. There aren't any truly "country" songs here which I can't really say hurts my feelings any. "Israelites & Oakies" much like "Broken Like Brooklyn" start the disc on a somewhat quiet, mellow note. Of course it picks up with "Dancin' on the Devil's Elbow" - a folksy romp that showcases Steve Hindalong's saw-playing skills. You heard right - saw playing. Old Angel also includes an arrangement of the Daniel Amos song "The Glory Road" - a song which appeared on the Songs of the Heart disc in which Route 66 played a pretty big part as well. The song sounds a lot better when it's sung as opposed to the talky version of the original. I wasn't too impressed with "America's Main Street" which recalls the rock-a-billy swagger of Johnny Cash's "I've Been Everywhere." The song just didn't work for me with the talking and the sloppy blues riff. It's like the album takes a break from being excellent. Of course we get the beautiful ballad, "Travelling Mercies" afterward so it's all good. "Wicked Guns" is a hard rocker written by Hindalong about Wild Bill Hickock. Other tunes lament the tragedies of those in the Hooverville camp in 1932. My personal favorite is "Dead End Diner." Usually I don't say "monster hook" when talking about the Lost Dogs, but if you don't like that song and find yourself singing it regularly then you, my friend, don't like music.

Now I think I'm going to pay this disc the biggest compliment I can give it. It threatens to replace Little Red Riding Hood as my favorite Dogs disc. And if it doesn't replace it, it's certainly an easy second.

Useless Fact: Both the disc and the DVD were supposed to be released simultaneously but since the DVD isn't ready yet, the band released the album anyway so we all wouldn't lose our minds during the wait. Nice of 'em I think.

Lost Dogs - "The Lost Cabin and the Mystery Trees"

Lost Dogs - The Lost Cabin and the Mystery Trees

2006, Fools of the World

1. Broken Like Brooklyn

2. Devil's Elbow

3. The Lost Cabin and the Mystery Trees

4. Whispering Memories

5. One More Day

6. This Business is Goin' Down

7. Hardening My Heart

8. Only One Bum in Corona Del Mar

9. Get Me Ready

10. Burn It Up

11. That's Where Jesus Is

After Gene's unfortunate passing I lost interest in the Dogs. Part of the reason was because I had gotten out of music all together and the other is because...well... I just missed Gene too much. I never thought the Dogs' output was as good. Sure I can listen to Nazarene Crying Towel every now and then, but it's not one of my favorites. However, I'm happy to say that the Dogs have truly been reborn with Lost Cabin. Steve Hindalong, drummer for The Choir, joins the fold as a full-fledged dog and it's nice to have his eccentric drumming style backing up the band. As for the songs... they're wonderful. It's one of the few albums I've listened to all the way through and then immediately wanted to listen to again. While I still cringe a little at the weepy steel guitar in some of the "countrier" songs, the songs are strong enough that it doesn't bother me as much. I think mainly because it's not accompanied by some redneck whining. Anyway, probably the only song I don't care for is "One More Day." It's the only song penned by Mike Roe and I don't really have a good reason for not liking it as it's not a bad song - I just get bored with it. I really like the melancholy "Broken Like Brooklyn," the silly "Only One Bum in Corona Del Mar," and "Burn It Up." The latter sounds like a genuine song from The Choir (not surprising since it was written by Derri and Steve). I'm happy to say that the Lost Dogs are back and I'm glad I took a chance on 'em!

Useless Fact: The title of the album and the song are based off of a legend about some cabin under which a cache of gold was supposedly buried.

Lost Dogs - "Little Red Riding Hood"

Lost Dogs - Little Red Riding Hood

1993, Brainstorm

1. No Ship Coming In

2. Imagine That

3. You Satisfy

4. Bad Indigestion

5. Dunce Cap

6. Jesus Loves You, Brian Wilson

7. Precious Memories

8. Rocky Mountain Mines

9. Jimmy

10. Eleanor, It's Raining Now

11. Free at Last

12. Red, White, and Blue

13. I'm a Loser

14. No Room For Us

15. Pray Where You Are

16. Goodship Lollipop (Hidden Track)

There are some albums in my collection that are crystallized in my mind. Album that remain my favorites no matter what music I'm getting into or what's going on in my life. This is one such an album. Part of that has to do with nostalgia, of course. But a lot of it has to do with this being an amazing album. It was my first Lost Dogs disc that I got because Terry, Gene, Mike, and Derri were all in bands that I loved. So... needless to say I loved almost every tune on here. "Dunce Cap" is one of my favorite songs ever. "Jimmy" is a heartbreaking tune about visiting a friend, "Red White and Blue" recalls protest songs from the 70's, and "Jesus Loves You, Brian Wilson" is an ode to the Beach Boys frontman. Probably one of my favorite tracks is the mysterious ballad "No Room For Us." The only song I really don't like is "Precious Memories" because, as I've said be fore, I hate southern gospel music with a passion.

Useless Fact: I saw these guys in concert and I kept shouting out "Dunce Cap" for them to play but they wouldn't do it. It made me sad.

Lost Dogs - "Gift Horse"

Lost Dogs - Gift Horse

2000, BEC

1. Ghost Train to Nowhere

2. A Vegas Story

3. If You Loved Here You'd Be Home By Now

4. Diamonds to Coal

5. A Blessing in Disguise

6. Loved and Forgiven

7. Rebecca Go Home

8. Honeysuckle Breeze

9. Ditto

10. The Wall of Heaven

11. Farther Along

Well... this one lacks the variety that I love about the Dogs but that's okay because they've taken all their influences and perfectly distilled them into this one cohesive album. Part of that is because Terry wrote all the songs for this one but it's a great blend of alt-rock and country. From the melancholy opening notes of "Ghost Train to Nowhere" you know something good is happening. When I listen to songs like "Rebecca Go Home" where Gene sings by himself it just makes me miss his talent all the more. I really like the fun "opposites attract" love song "Ditto" and the hope and optimism of "Loved and Forgiven." Really, I can't find enough good things to say about this disc.

Useless Fact: Gene Eugene died the same year this album was released. R.I.P. Gene....

Lost Dogs - "Scenic Routes"

Lost Dogs - Scenic Routes

1992, Brainstorm

1. Scenic Routes

2. You Gotta Move

3. Built For Glory, Made to Last

4. Bullet Train

5. The Fortunate Sons

6. The New Physics

7. I Am a Pilgrim

8. Lord, Protect My Child

9. Amber Waves Goodbye

10. Bush League

11. Old and Lonesome

12. I Can't Say Goodbye

13. Why is the Devil Red?

14. Smokescreen

15. The Last Testament of Angus Shane

16. Hard Times, Come Again No More

17. Breathe Deep (The Breath of God)

I didn't get to hear this album until just a year ago or so. I heard the first track and loved it immediately. I also love "The Fortunate Sons" but pretty much anything Gene does is okay with me. "The New Physics" kind of reminds me of "Dunce Cap" a little with the guitar effects. For me there's just a few too many ballady country songs. I know that was supposed to be the point of this whole exercise but I don't like it as much on this one. I think a few of the songs are filler. "Amber Waves Goodbye" would be one... and I HATE "I Am a Pilgrim." I can't stand southern gospel so yeah... no surprise there. Though I do love the accapella "Hard Times, Come Again No More." So sometimes there's no rhyme or reason to what I like! This disc is way out of print so if you can find one, get it and hold on to it...

Useless Fact: Man... Gene must have really had something against George Bush, Sr. back in the day. There was "Worldwide" on Adam Again's Dig and "Bush League" on this one.

Lost Dogs - "The Green Room Serenade, Part One"

Lost Dogs - The Green Room Serenade, Part One

1996, Brainstorm

1. The Green Room Serenade

2. Up in the Morning

3. Cry Baby

4. Love Takes Over the World

5. Close But No Cigar

6. All That Remains

7. Sweet Work of Love

8. If It Be Your Will

9. Mexico

10. The Prodigal Bride (I'll Wait For You)

11. Hey, You Little Devil

12. I Don't Love You

13. Reasonable Service

14. Waiting For You to Come Around

15. Breathe Deep (The Breath of God), 1996

The band here took everything they did on Little Red Riding Hood and kicked it up a notch. There's still the variety from the past discs but the production is stellar. This album feels so much bigger than the previous ones. There's also some good rockin' tunes on here. I love Gene's song "Mexico" and "Cry Baby" where he sings with Terry. Of course, there's some moving ballads too like "If It Be Your Will." However, for some reason I don't find myself going back to this one as much. I really don't have a reason for it though.

Useless Fact: So was the live album supposed be the second part to this or was it supposed to be something else? Seems like they realized that they didn't put out a second part and just made the live album that.

Lost Dogs - "Nazarene Crying Towel"

Lost Dogs - Nazarene Crying Towel

2003, BEC

1. Moses in the Desert

2. There You Are

3. Deeper in the Heart

4. Come Down Here

5. Be My Hiding Place

6. Jesus On the Shore

7. Mercy Again

8. Cry Out Loud

9. The Yearning

10. Crushing Hand

11. Home Again

12. Darkest Night

This is the one Lost Dogs disc that I listen to the least. I haven't heard Real Men Cry but this one is lacking some of the things I always liked about the Lost Dogs - variety and upbeat songs. "Deeper in the Heart" is one of the few upbeat ones, but for the most part this album is full of quiet, acoustic songs and I just wanted it to kick into gear at some point and it never did. It's not bad at all but if you start you need to know what to expect. It's a small, intimate disc and I've really got to be in the mood for it. The harmonies are really smooth though!

Useless Fact: The liner notes are filled with a story by Terry Taylor about his mother and her manic "Crying Towel" fits. It's poignant and personal and a pretty good addition.