Dr. Dog

Dr. Dog's third studio album on Anti, B Room, marks the band's greatest point of clarity in more than a decade of performing and recording. Their arrangements, while still ambitious, are much simpler, moving past the multi-tracked pastiche of earlier efforts into a unique and vibrant band voice. Indeed, it is this discovery of the band-collective as a compositional tool that makes B Room the most cohesive, soulful, loose, and plain fun record of their career.

Although "The Sound of Philadelphia" influence may fade after the first track, the city that has helped define Dr. Dog's sound remains a heavy presence on the album. When asked about the city's role in their music, Leaman pointed out that many of the famous acts coming out of Philly were collaborations, from Eddie Lang and Joe Venuti to Hall and Oates. In his words, "Just a bunch of weirdos playing music and taking risks together." Assuming that Leaman is referring to Dr. Dog's own journey with his deprecating analysis, he reveals a maturity and genuine self-awareness that is the essence of not just the album, but the band's current place in time. From the construction of the studio to the recording of the album that took place within its walls, the band has found that boundless moment of creativity where their spirit and soul coexist.