:: Sick Puppies - Dressed Up As Life

Sick Puppies

This Australian band has become well known over the past twelve months through the “Free Hugs” video and the linked song “All The Same”. They have been greeted with enthusiasm and fondness in the USA especially and they have now released their new album “Dressed Up As Life”. The album demonstrates the band's progression in building infectious and catchy songs, yet leaving you guessing where the next track might come from, as characteristics change throughout. There are a couple of weaker moments but they don't detract from what is generally a well produced, driving set of songs. There is certainly a harder, daring edge to the music on several tracks. “All The Same” is naturally one of the lead tracks, but there is a good blend and the often ferocious noises give glimpses of North American bands like Staind, Nickelback and Hinder. Whether this all translates into US success will be interesting to gauge. The record is out in the States through Virgin Records. I hope they do really well as there has been a good deal of time put into these tracks and they've produced a hard-edged set of songs that give them every chance of widening their crowd-pleasing status. I like the vocal aggression shown by lead singer/guitarist Shimon Moore as he uses his voice to showcase the provocative and poignant aspects. On this album Sick Puppies has got the bull by the horn and provided a worthy record.