Cat The Dog - 'I'm A Romantic / Devil In Me'

Although their name brings up images of some sort of zany animated cartoon airing on MTV in the late 90s, Cat The Dog are a much heavier proposition. While the members of the four piece may have come from a diverse range of locations, from Vancouver to Brighton, with interludes in Toronto and  Manchester along the way, the band’s music weaves a less varied path. There’s a dollop of drony, desert wasteland stoner rock on their debut double A-side, a bit of sleazy glam and some new wave urgency in there too. All of which is played at such a driving, crashing tempo that it’ll send any passing Snow Patrol and Coldplay fans scurrying to a bunker for sanctuary.

Both tracks are frantic affairs, neither making it over the two and a half minute mark. Yet this relentless hurry is what lets Cat The Dog down, with both songs never really establishing themselves before they’re gone. Yes, a fearsome noise is created but there needs to be something more here, and for all the growling vocals and screeching guitars there isn’t much underneath the slick surface. More of a yelping meow then, not the full bark that’s needed.

Released: 27/08/07 On Virgin Records