Doug McDonald Band just released their fifth album since forming in 2008. Titled Soundcheck, it shows a seasoned band that hasn’t let its quirkiness get washed out of their sound by studio producers or trends. In fact, this simple duo of guitarist-vocalist Doug MacDonald and drummer Patty Short don’t sound quite like anyone we’ve heard of before while they maintain a consistent rock and roll structure in their songs.
Opening cut “Skyline Drive” is spearheaded by a grinding, winding guitar phrase filled with nervous tension. The rhythm section constantly pushes out a driving groove that joins with that guitar like a vine growing in a mad jungle. MadDonald’s world weary vocal hangs on just this side of neurosis, like he’s in danger of cracking up, his voice sounding oddly high pitched, edgy, in danger of just losing everything in one explosive burst.
“The City” commences with a pretty, brittle guitar line and an adept backbeat. MacDonald’s voice stretches itself well into this quieter but no less frantic soundscape. Drummer Patty Short keeps her drum work simple and steady but adds interesting twists with her fills, quick smacks that come out of nowhere but make sense in the context of this piece. The song certainly keeps you wondering where it is going and what MacDonald was thinking and feeling when he wrote it.
“Cheap Red Wine” gets a droning undertone as MacDonald hits his chords just right. He also offers a charging fuzz over Short’s boundless run of muscular sticking. Aside from that appeal, MacDonald’s voice reminds of the tortured souls of so many 1970 punk rockers. He’s a character in his songwriting and in his vocal presence. You want to hear more of him even as he does not take himself too seriously.
Down tempo with nuanced electric guitar sparkle, “Hidden Cove” carries one away on its instrumental wave of persistent notes and determined musical destination. Don’t let these people with seemingly simple music fool you. This band knows what they are doing, and they have their own kind of sophistication.. DMB alter the mood of “Hidden Cove” with subtle shifts in dynamics and tone.
“Sugarloaf” laments the youthful experiences of wild kids who live like there is no tomorrow. Flinty electric guitar chords slap out the theme of lost innocence. With Short’s steady smack driving him on and giving him limited space to emote, MacDonald gives off just enough emotion in each verse to express the youthful need to burst out of the chains that bind, pick up an electric guitar, and play your way to a more reckless life of abandon and pure joy.
“Tidal Wave/The Missile live” combines punk energy with surf persistence, a driving piece feels like “Wipeout” on speed. Pressing a grungy tone on an oldies riff, MacDonald shows he a guitarist with a few tricks up his sleeve. Patty Short’s drum work keeps right up with the never ending guitar grind, a skin smacking that could last long enough to hurt someone. Eventually, this track segues into an intriguing bit of racing guitar speed, as if the instrument cannot reach any lower than the speed limit.
“New Page” finds MacDonald crooning with a catchy, likable approach in his hooky chorus. This tune could have been a huge radio hit during a previous decade. He plays an echoey guitar part at one point that pulls the ear in for further interest. Overall though, this piece works as a jangly guitar, quirky chorus, likely to find a home at local radio stations throughout New England.
Close out track “Shambles” was recorded live at Uncle Eddies at Salisbury Beach in Salisbury, Massachusetts. It likely went over well at beach bar, since it is driving and fresh enough to keep that interesting, eclectic crowd hopping. MacDonald’s raw, emotive vocal sung over his blistering guitar attack and persistent skin smacking, again, make this band what they are.
Doug Macdonald Band, a nifty duo of lead guitar and a drummer, make a perfect musical pair as well as a crackling, frantic piece of entertainment.
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