Dogs – ‘This Stone Is A Bullet’ (Weekender) Released 26/03/07

If the recently reformed Jam are still needing a replacement vocalist then they could worse then give Johnny Cooke a call. As always, his rasp of a vocal manages to evoke memories of a young Paul Weller, while 'This Stone Is A Bullet' is an aggressive punky number along the lines of Eton Rifles. Unfortunately, it is no more than a pale imitation, lacking any real fire or lyrical wit. It judders along without ever really going anywhere, even throwing a thrashy guitar solo into the mix near the end.

This is utterly disposable and suggests Dogs are still performing the same schtick they were back when they first appeared in 2005, that being straightforward no frills speedy punk that lacks depth and subtlety. But this time they seem to be devoid of a melody. Cooke’s vocals at least have a rawness that catches the ear but that good impression is washed away by the slapdash nature of everything else. If this is the best that Dogs can offer it might be best that they’re put down.