Dogs

As per my subject line really! I've read reviews (possibly not on Amazon, I can't remember) from people who think this album isn't as good as their first because it's not "rock enough" and sounds too Indie. Maybe they have a point, I tend to agree that their first album was slightly better but this is still a terrific album full of catchy tunes and a hell of a lot better than most of their competitors. If you want yet another Black Sabbath (a band I love) or Iron Maiden clone then this lot won't be your bag, but nor are they soft rock either.

Well after owning their first album, I quickly fell in love with this band! I was slightly sceptical about purchasing their second album because a lot of bands suffer second album blues. But how wrong was I! This album is quickly becoming a long term regular in my car's CD player. Although I don't think it is as good as the first album, I still love it as an album and it certainly holds it's own throughout with some incredible vocal melodies and the tight guitar work just makes this a great addition to anyone's collection! Also being a drummer myself I can't help but admire this drummer's work... WOW

Mark Melicia vocals are great.A nice blend or hard and soft tracks.Difficult 2nd album? I'd say it was a touch better than the 1st.Looking forward to the 3rd.

When the Parlor Mob released 'And you were a crow' I was more than suitably impressed. Very Led Zeppelin-esque but with a modern sound. It was with some reservations that I approached 'Dogs' as I was hoping they didn't succumb to the easy route and churn out a similar sounding album. Even after the first listen I was hooked - it's more varied, more colourful, more rocky, more mature (?)They still have clung to the sound of Led Zep but thrown in some Raconteurs, some Beck and a pinch of Audioslave for good measure.Very varied album and my pick of best album of 2011.

And You Were A Crow was one of my albums of 2009 and I was eagerly anticipating this follow up. It's not as instantly as accessible as Crow but after a few listens it is now firmly on the playlist. The Parlor Mob's great asset is the ability to write catchy songs whether they're riff driven piledrivers such as Into the Sun or Fall Back, or quiet ballads like Practice in Patience or Slip Through My Hands. And then there's the occasional epic such as Holding On and the stunning album closer (unless you have the special edition) The Beginning. In anyone's book this is great songwriting and combined with top production and tone these deserve to be rock classics. I hope the band achieve the stardom they deserve.

I loved the first album  And You Were A Crow  from the first listen, its Zeppelinesque, retro 70s stylings instantly struck a chord with me, and I found it hard to find something I wanted to hear more for a while.So, it was with baited breath that I waited for the follow up. Would this be the difficult and flawed 2nd album? Dont you believe it, this is the absolute mut's nuts!!Carrying on seamlessly from its predecessor, whilst still showing a level of growth and progression, no resting on their laurels here.Influences are worn like badges, obviously the Zeppy qualities are there, but I get hints of Muse, 'Into the sun' could have come from  Origin Of Symmetry . Track 3 'Fall back' brings to mind images of jack White's Raconteurs.It's crunchy heavy in places, lilting and gentle in others. Beautifully played and exquisitely sung, layer after layer of pristine rock, texturally different, like eating a box of Milk Tray with the lights off, you dont know whats coming next.Hi-lights? 'Into the sun' is superb, 'I want to see you' showcases that incredible voice of Mark Malicia, a cross between Planty and Andrew Stockdale, with a hint of Zach de la Rocha, whilst retaining its own identity.'Take whats mine'hits you with a filthy riff, very Morello-esque.'Holding on' is simply beautiful and closing track 'The Beginning', is a great way to end.I LOVE IT!!Best album of 2011??..............Its in with a shout.

Like others I was desperate to hear the second album. The previous And You Were A Crow is astounding. I guess it could never live up. This is a softer more "indy" sounding record. It ptobably has wider appeal. But "Dogs" is not a hard rock record and if like me that is what you want avoid it.I would love to find out why it sounds like this. Was it the band themselves, or can they justifiably blame the record company or the producer? I guess we won't know for a few years and then only if they return to form later on.

personally i dont understand the lukewarm rating this has. i hear an album by a band thats building on the influences that were so clear on the first album, and making a sound thats their own. well done guys.