There is no drifting when Madrid-based multi-national outfit Track Dogs hit the road re-defining the often used term eclectic. Maybe the eclecticism driven by the recorded and live output is confined to the roots spectrum, but you are certainly spun round an interconnected world when engaging with the music. On their latest album BLIND SUMMITS & HIDDEN DIPS, the listener is kept alert as a tight template encompasses a wide array of fast paced sounds that make half an hour feel longer - in a good way.
From a band name referencing the dark subterranean world of the New York Subway, two Englishmen, an Irishman, an American and a host of guests take you on a whirlwind trip of ten tracks constantly blending near omnipresent trumpet with many stringed accomplices including guitar, mandolin, banjo and ukulele. Bluegrass, Latino, folk and blues all add to the Track Dogs trimming as the songs sway between originals and choice adaptions from the works of other.
The Latino dance grooves in 'The Way of Things' get things underway to set a positive tone. The breadth of Track Dogs is secured in the final piece where a poem gets a folk makeover in 'Disaster at Sea' with the harmonium of Alice Jones adding depth to this shanty-style number. The intro to 'Be Your Silver Bullet' will be familiar to folks of a certain age before the work of saxophonist Lou Marini takes hold to steer a track awash with jazzy blues sentiments to enhance the toe tapping feel that permeates the record.
Another significant guest is Spanish vocalist Lu Garnet who gets a featuring credit on the band's version of the Stevie Nicks standard 'Rhiannon'. The brass opening adds the Track Dogs trademark to a commendable effect. On the subject of covers, we head down a full blown bluegrass highway on 'Sleep With One Eye Open'. This pushes the credibility of an Americana nod; a label that lingers without fully landing on Track Dogs.
The remaining content all serves as Track Dogs originals. The international flavour is captured in 'Play Nice', a punchy roots effort that fluctuates with bi-lingual lyrics floating alongside snippets of the aforementioned brass. 'Cover Your Tracks' sits pretty following the hip swaying opener and is more a straight up folk-rock song with backing harmonies making a presence. This is a track that garners appreciation with more listens, probably a case of being less upfront than its compatriots.
Before we head to the borrowed finale of the previously referred to Fleetwood Mac cover and poetic rendition, 'Strange Ways' settles in and goes a long way to framing what Track Dogs do best, namely brass-tinged infectious songs that retain a bright subtlety. The final two tracks nestle around the midpoint of the record. 'Water Lawn' injects some more banjo-fuelled raucous American rural roots music into the mix, and from this angle largely stands alone in tempo. This immediately sinks into one of the album's more tranquil moments with 'Peace Inside' getting a rare inclusion of added strings with cello and violin. Just another tool in Track Dogs extensive armoury.
BLIND SUMMITS & HIDDEN DIPS is the latest instalment of Track Dogs literally getting back on track following a number of disruptive years for an outfit with an international horizon. This is a third album in eighteen months and will be supported by an extensive run of UK dates in October and November. The Track Dogs are fun live as experienced at a festival, yet in lieu of that opportunity tuning into their eclectic and pro-charged vibes via discs such as this bring a vibrancy closer to home.
