:: Dogs Die In Hot Cars – Please Describe Yourself

Dogs Die In Hot Cars

If you’ve heard anything about the Scottish band Dogs Die In Hot Cars, it’s probably the comparisons to the Proclaimers, Talking Heads and Dexy’s Midnight Runners. Although this can certainly be heard, what runs in a similar vein but screams even more from the speakers is the Cure and at points, The Vapors. As a debut album, Please Describe Yourself contains many influences but does manage to update accessible 80s pop to a relevant level today. The twice-released single I Love You Cause I Have To is a definite highlight with its ska and pop mix. Although the majority of the album is cheerful and upbeat there are some heavier issues below the surface. Somewhat Off The Way touches on the disapproving eyes of the school system and general society on the plight of the musician with lyrics like “I just don’t want to die a fool” and “We’re learning more than we ever learnt, and I like it a lot”. Of course the Scottish kids quickly make us chuckle again with the crazy Paul Newman’s Eyes. The classic elements of Dogs Die In Hot Cars’ style are countless but they are just different enough to Franz Ferdinand and Jet to make them original.