Vinyl LP pressing. 2022 release. Fronted by brothers Peter O'Doherty and Reg Mombassa (both formerly of Mental As Anything), Dog Trumpet has been playing, writing and recording their music since the early '90s. Recorded and produced by Peter at home in his South Road studio, the brothers have created an inventive and original body of work distinguished by an eccentric and offbeat harmonic warmth and melodic drive propelled by Reg's distinctive slide guitar and Peter's elegant acoustic guitar and mandolin. Their poetic, yet at times absurdist lyrics are set against a sonic backdrop that could loosely be described as a meld of rock and roll, psychedelic folk, country and semi-abstract blues. Shadowland is the duo's 2022 album, recorded earlier this year, with the guys playing all the instruments themselves. Amidst a group of songs with all sorts of subject matter (including the sheep of New Zealand, and Nina Simone) is the very direct "F*ing Idiots", about the human race and it's continuing desire to wage wars.
I picked up Shadowland on 140-gram black vinyl and it's a solid pressing. Dog Trumpet, led by Peter O'Doherty and Reg Mombassa, recorded this 2022 album at Peter's home studio with the brothers playing all the instruments themselves. The sound blends rock and roll, psychedelic folk, country and semi-abstract blues, with Reg's slide guitar and Peter's acoustic guitar and mandolin standing out. Lyrics are poetic and often absurdist, covering everything from New Zealand's sheep to Nina Simone, plus the blunt "F*ing Idiots." A worthwhile listen for fans of their earlier work.