If anyone is my pick to take the torch from Wavves as the next lo-fi indie buzz act, it is Brooklyn's Blank Dogs. Hyped up by the internet and a staple at Todd P showcases, the always masked Mark Sniper has put out a steady stream of EPs and singles over the past two years as Blank Dogs. The sound, like many other acts of the same vein, has very clear influences. The melodies and hooks have the same poppy gloom as Joy Division and the distorted drum machines and fuzzed out vocals make you thing of Big Black. It is a potent combo and the combined product is a scary thing. It is something that will make you want to dance and cower in fear at the same time. Equal parts fun and horribly ominous.
Despite being a one man operation, Blank Dogs brings several instruments to the table, all of them compliment each other perfectly. From tremolo heavy surf guitar lines, to scummy drum machines, blown keyboards and washed out vocals that are just poppy enough to keep you more entertained then beat down. While many of the songs are rather punishing and frightening (Setting Fire to Your House is my bad mood jam) it never takes itself so seriously that it detracts from the overall experience. With a blend of so many influences all coming together in a a great debut LP of fuzzed out post punk, I really do hope that the buzz finally does come Blank Dog's way. "Under and Under" certainly deserves the hype.
http://www.myspace.com/blankdogtime
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