ALBUM REVIEW: Walk With Me (reissue) – Dog Eat Dog
New Jersey band DOG EAT DOG have just re-released their album Walk With Me via Metalville, almost 20 years after its first distribution. Initially released by Nuclear Blast in 2006, Walk With Me was only available for a short time due to internal problems and unexpected legal complications, which meant that the album had to be withdrawn from the market after a short time. Now in 2024 its re-release means that the music is finally widely available to fans and public alike – but does it still work in the current market?
Produced by former pro skateboarder Claus Grabke, Walk With Me is a collection of a dozen tracks that span such a variety of genres that shouldn’t work cohesively, yet it perfectly displays DOG EAT DOG’s expanse of musical influence and knowledge. The eclectic collection of genres also means that the album lacks any flow or overall chronological cohesion, so if you’re looking for an album with a story or seamless transitions, Walk With Me is not for you.
That being said, the album’s content isn’t bad at all. Taking each track as an individual instead of as part of a whole, there are some stellar efforts in there. Standout track Undivided is a straight-up 00s style ballad featuring Marta Jandová from DIE HAPPY, the ebb and flow matched with some gritty vocals and casual rapping is a match made in heaven. A similar track is All Night, which all but screams LIMP BIZKIT and features a fun call-and-response section.
Like LIMP BIZKIT, there are a lot of 90s/00s bands that sound very similar to some of the tracks on this album, with another example of Hell Yeah! being extremely reminiscent of BLUR’s Song 2 in places – not enough to call it a rip off, but definitely enough to jog the memory.
Whilst a lot of the tracks on the album are just fun and catchy, Walk With Me and My Frustration are examples of where frontman John Connor’s vocal and lyrical prowess really starts to shine, with lyrics striking out against corporations, society and big dogs in the world controlling the world and money flow. The title track is an anthem for the masses, with chants of “I hate being broke / It sucks being poor” ready to force their way out of audiences throats. It also features the kind of whisper-raps that LINKIN PARK popularised, followed by quick raps to a dirty bassline that even EMINEM would be proud of.
Whilst instrumentally all of the genre and style changes throughout the album are inspiring, the real props have to go to the vocals. Connor serves as the lead with bassist Dave Neabore and guitarist Sean Kilkenny lending an occasional hand and covering rap, heavy punk, rap and classic rock all in one release, it’s no small feat.
ESB is the most unique track on the album, with its punk, rock, ska and reggae style creating a standout in the varied lineup. Less so are Summertime and Fun Lovin’; both have heavy influences from other artists, with Summertime sounding a lot like a blend of BLINK-182 and SUM-41 to create an easy-listening track that people can mindlessly chill and sing along to as they get drunk in their back gardens, and Fun Lovin’ literally sampling Hit The Road Jack.
The track that really gives away the album’s initial release date (whether that’s a plus or a minus is up to you) is M.I.L.F, a track whose sentiment fits in well with the like of FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE’s Stacey Mom, or BOWLING FOR SOUP’s 1985, though with a heavier musical twist.
Overall, DOG EAT DOG are a talented band with a skill for blending genres. Walk With Me will blend in perfectly with throwback and 00s nostalgia playlists, but it might not fit into many modern playlists quite so well.
Rating: 7/10
Walk With Me (reissue) is out now via Metalville.
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