For a while, it seemed like Dr. Dog and I were never meant to be.

On my way out the door, after waiting for more than a month to see them after their initial NYC run was rescheduled, I had an unfortunate run-in with my unstable landlord that left me shaking and in no frame of mind for the rock. Circus music perhaps, but not rock. A few beers later, I mustered up the courage go to head to the Music Hall of Williamsburg, which was the best thing I could have done. While most bands would have failed, Dr. Dog’s laid-back, sunny tunes succeeded in taking the edge off my landlord-induced agita.

Seeing Dr. Dog live was a lot like listening to their 2007 LP We All Belong: Every song reminds me of another song, maybe one I haven’t thought of since my preadolescent years. Which is not to say that Dr. Dog rips people off or plagiarizes. To me they more resemble a group of like-minded enthusiasts than a band, in the traditional sense of the word. Unironically in love with classic rock, they want nothing more than to share their favorite music with the world. I know they are frequently compared to The Beach Boys for the harmonies and The Band for the guitars, but I also found myself thinking, in places, of bands as disparate as the Four Seasons, The Beatles, U2 and Wilco. While it seems like a cohesive aesthetic has yet to form, it’s easy and ultimately pleasurable to get swept along by Dr. Dog’s musical excitement, something akin to trading mixtapes with your friends.

In September, Dr. Dog will embark on a grueling tour: 29 North American shows in just over a month before heading to Europe. Which brings me to the issue of the scores of live plants, large and small, that decorated the stage. Do they bring a mobile greenhouse with them on tour? I kind of hope they leave them in Philly.

Listen: “Worst Trip” (from We All Belong)

See Dr. Dog Live:
5 Sept - Arlington, VA @ IOTA Club & Cafe
6 Sept – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
7 Sept – Nashville, TN @ 3rd and Lindsley
8 Sept - Birmingham, AL @ Bottle Tree Cafe
9 Sept - Hattiesburg, MS @ Thirsty Hippo
11 Sept - Houston, TX @ Walters on Washington
12 Sept – Fort Worth, TX @ Lola’s
13 Sept – Austin, TX @ The Parish
16 Sept - Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress
17 Sept - San Diego, CA @ The Casbah
19 Sept - Costa Mesa, CA @ The Detroit Bar
20 Sept- Visalia, CA @ Cellar Door
21 Sept - San Francisco, CA @ Treasure Island Music Festival
22 Sept - Eugene, OR @ W.O.W. Hall
23 Sept – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
24 Sept – Seattle, WA The Tractor Tavern
26 Sept - Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
27 Sept - Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive
29 Sept - Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room
30 Sept - Kansas City, MO @ The Record Bar
1 Oct - Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
2 Oct - Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig
3 Oct - Toronto, ON @ El Mocambo
4 Oct - Montreal, QC @ Pop Montreal - Le Petit Campus
6 Oct - South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
7 Oct - Providence, RI @ Club Hell
8 Oct - Troy, NY @ Revolution Hall
9 Oct - Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse Music Hall
10 Oct- Cambridge, MA @ Middle East (downstairs)
28 Nov - Philadelphia, PA @ Starlight Ballroom

Visit Dr. Dog on MySpace.