Hey kids, ya boy Nick here with a dank album review. My first album review, that is. I am glad you are here and willing to give the five or so minutes out of your day to learn what I thought about an album you probably have not heard of, and then go home and live out the rest of your life without listening to said album. (It honestly means a lot.)

Enough introductions though, let us get wacky, wet and wild with this new release from Shaun Fleming (a.k.a. Diane Coffee), drummer for the ’60s psych rock/glamour mockery outfit Foxygen, whom you may know for its hit single, “San Francisco.”

Being a member of a band can make you easily influenced by your bandmates and the sounds they create, and this is evident with Everybody’s A Good Dog. Anyone who has listened to Foxygen past “San Francisco” probably discerned rather quickly what kind of aesthetic for which they strive. It tips its hat to the charming American pop and rock music of the late ’60s early ’70s, while also laughing behind its back. It is catchy and fun, while also being noisy and emotional. Singer Sam France can be caught wailing and shouting as much as he sings on any of the releases, and each album is full of noisy, distorted instruments and samples that either enthrall or terrify the listener.

Diane Coffee, however, is more on the fun, emotional, “singy” side of things. A full listen of Everybody’s A Good Dog will incite mostly joy, and a pinch of sorrow, but it may also leave you a little bored. Only a little, though.

The album starts with the track “Spring Breathes,” which is an excellent opener. It immediately introduces you to the choral vocals that will become naturally expected as you listen through the 41 minute record. The song is well built and progresses from a softer beginning to a full, big band composition at the end, making sure to throw in some rhythmic change ups along the way. You will start to make your way into the Americana filled road trip with “Mayflower,” but stop to take a few pictures when you come across “Soon to Be, Won’t to Be.” There is an interesting effect on Coffee’s vocals here, reminiscent of autotune or vocaloid effects but not exactly either. A dreamy, slowed groove is established right away and it is not hard to get a little lost in the atmosphere it creates. It sounds almost like Mac DeMarco dropped by, wrote some music and left it in Diane Coffee’s studio while he was putting this album together. “Soon to Be, Won’t to Be” is in the end, what this album needed more of in my opinion. It adheres to the vintage rock sound and composition that is heard throughout, but spices things up with a different mood/feel. None of the music on here is especially bad, and the record does not even necessarily become “stale” at any point either, a little bit too worn. It is like the odd cousin that sometimes comes to your house. You do not mind talking to him and he says some really interesting things and makes you smile, but when his mom has to take him home, you are pretty okay with it.

There is a few more highlights on the album as well, including the beautiful breakdown on “Tams Up,” and the catchy verse melodies/rhythm on “Everyday.” “Everyday” is already circulating a bit online and is seeming to be a sort of single for the record which is understandable. It is probably the cleanest track production wise and could be enjoyed by most anyone. The lyrical content consists mainly of Coffee wishing for love or trying to achieve romantic success, and these lyrics are often delivered with the zest and attitude of your typical ’60s rock star, with choruses like “I think you crazy, but I dig you baby!” shouted over intense organs and drums. Duet, the only song featuring a guest, starts off sounding like the soundtrack for Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, but around halfway changes into this funky, somewhat dark jam that really catches you off guard but leaves you nodding your head along. Felicia Douglass, the guest vocalist on this track, does not really add much at all, and in fact sounds a bit bored while singing. Duet is the prime example, however, of my general feelings for this album. There is really cool parts that will stick with you, but it is up to personal opinion if you think it is worth waiting for these parts. Being a fan of Foxygen and fond of soul/motown music, I myself think it is, but can understand if someone else thinks differently.

Overall, Everybody’s A Good Dog is a wonderful addition to your musical library if you’re looking for some feel good music for a good ol’ fashioned night on the town, as long as you’re not relying on the music to save you from an awkward silence in your first date.

GRANDIOSE INSTRUMENTATION, BRASS AND CHOIRS, BRIGHT GUITARS,

FOXYGEN WITH LESS FEELS

TOP TRACK: SOON TO BE, WON’T TO BE

LAME TRACK: DUET (The first half)

TRACK TO TRY: EVERYDAY

SCORE: 8+/10
(A plus means I personally enjoyed it, an underscore means I was personally unmoved, and a minus means I personally didn’t care for it.)