If I can't dance to it...

...it's not my revolution. Although there has been some controversy whether famous anarchist/feminist Emma Goldman has truly spoken these words, I start this post with this quote because I believe The Format has made their stellar summer album Dog Problems with the motto: If I can't dance to it, it's not my heartbreak!

The first time I listened to this album, without paying attention to the lyrics, I'd never guessed it's a concept record about heartbreak for the simple reason that the songs make you feel good. Hell, they even make you wanna dance, even when you're not really into that kinda stuff. Without a doubt, Dog Problems has been my summer album of 2006. From the Beach Boys like opening harmony in "Time Bomb", to irresistable sing along choruses in songs like "Oceans" and "Inches and Failing", from the kind of weird, but still very enjoyable title track to the unexpected punkrock outburst in "If Work Permits"...there's much to like about Dog Problems. As a first video from the album they chose the song The Compromise. I'm surprised by this, because it's one of my least favorite songs on the album. The video however can be described with one word: Origami!


How about the album title? Singer Nate Ruess explains: "It was that thing where instead of having a baby to fix our relationship, we'd always get a dog, so by the time she left for good, I had three dogs". Ouch!

The Format - Oceans
The Format on MySpace