DR. DOG | We All Belong | Park the Van

It’s difficult to listen to Dr. Dog’s We All Belong without holding the group to the highest of standards. Where 2005’s Easy Beat employed doo-wopping vocal harmonies, distorted keyboards and teeth-clenching psychedelic guitar all with a nod to the Beatles, the Beach Boys and a handful of the era’s other notables, the presence of such pop and psych-rock influences are much less subtle on Belong.

In fact, the first line off the first track “Old News” laments the obvious: “We’ve got old news, wrapped up in old blues.” But don’t discount the lo-fi Philly quintet. On the soulful funeral march “Die Die Die,” methodic claps and shimmering tambourine brighten the raspy vocals. “The Way the Lazy Do” bursts with rolling drums and pulsing piano melodies. Dr. Dog has set the bar high for itself with such obvious and revered influences, but the group’s authenticity shines through on We All Belong nonetheless.