Dodgy Albums (4)
What The Critics Say
Regrouped, refreshed, and financially on the mend thanks to the benevolent wallets of fans instead of A&M, Dodgy let loose the sound Real Estate, their fifth album of British Invasion-styled good spirit, in the middle of a British summer stocked with perpetually dour singer/songwriters and an odd journalistic obsession with New York City's the Strokes. But if the band had troubles landing a deal after the trappings of Brit-pop lashed back, a situation worsened by a premature and misleading greatest hits album, Ace A's & Killer B's, and the unfortunate departure of longtime lead singer Nigel Clarke, they barely let you know. There is a crudely unfastened self-justification about songs like "Clean" and "Featherweight & Monkeyface." With David Bassey's new vocals, the band has grown around the petulant working-class rasp of Kelly Jones or a young Rod Stewart, diverging from the bright pop froth of its past, and for the first time the band sounds blurred around the edges as if intoxicated on their own indolent personalities. Alternately, "Shouldn't Wear Shorts" is unplugged Black Grape in the most terrible way but, like Shed Seven's Truth Be Told or Echobelly's People Are Expensive, Real Estate is the consequence of subverting dwindling crowds and a dismissive press for the good of those charitable few who chose to see how it all turned out. ~ Dean Carlson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
While Free Peace Sweet isn't as consistently engaging as Homegrown, it is nevertheless filled with terrific little punk-pop songs, from "In A Room," "Jack the Lad" and "If You're Thinking of Me" to "Ain't No Longer Asking," "Prey for Drinking" and "Homegrown." Dodgy's style is beginning to sound a bit formulaic, but there's no denying that the band has an infectious, exciting sound that makes the similarities between their albums forgivable. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Working from the same basic formula that made their debut a winner, Dodgy perfected their approach with their second album, Homegrown. The trio's hooks and melodies are sharper, making songs like "Staying Out for the Summer," "Melodies Haunt You," "So Let Me Go Far" and "Making the Most Of" indelible slices of punk-pop. There are still a few stray moments where the band gets by on sound, not songs, but Homegrown is overall a tight, invigorating record. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The Dodgy Album is an infectious debut that gets by as much on attitude as tunes. Although there are a handful of ringers, most of the record is driven by punchy power chords and sing-along choruses that are reminiscent of the Who at their peak. It's a fun and exciting debut. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
