| | Full Review | Ratings (414) |
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| 5.0 classic | Knott- EMERITUS | July 10th 09 |
The fantastic last track, If Work Permits, sets off with character but turns absolutely frantic after the chorus; Ruess? emotive vocals atop distorted guitars and pulsing drums build gradually throughout the second verse and the last chorus is shouted, passionately. Earlier in the song, though, that same chorus had made for arguably the album?s most poignant moment, crooned vulnerably over a sparse, misery-stricken piano. This is the genius of Dog Problems: the subtlety and the energy are not split between tracks, or ever really separable. Just energy, and you?re shouting about nothing. Just emotion and subtlety, and you?re going to come out depressed. But both together ? like The Format manage on this record ? gives you a bit of fight, and a hell of a good time while you figure it out.
3 Bumps | Bump |
| 3.5 great | mx STAFF | July 27th 06 |
The first few tracks threw me off a little bit, as it wasn't what I was expecting at all. The Format's signature - driving pop beats and indie hooks seemed to be missing somewhat, and the album felt a little more experimental. Despite a few misses, however, this is a quality album with several spectacular songs, notably 'She Doesn't Get It','Oceans','Snails', and 'The Compromise'
2 Bumps | Bump |
| 5.0 classic | gooseran | December 10th 12 |
One of the best pop albums of the past decade. Dog Problems sure is a bit of a departure from Interventions and Lullabies, and in fact the difference was a bit of a turn off for me when I first tried to listen to this album. I would turn it on, get two or three songs in, and then listen to something else because it just didn't remind me of Interventions & Lullabies. It took me a while to appreciate Dog Problems on its own, but once I did, I realized that these are some of the best songs Sam and Nate have ever written together. Worth a listen.
Bump |
| 5.0 classic | FromDaHood | April 30th 11 |
Nate Ruess' best work to date is also one of the best pop albums ever produced. From the whimsical harpsichord on 'Snails' to the downright catchiness of Time Bomb, this album has it all. The songwriting and construction is top-of-the-line: even the extensive bridges have their place on every song that they're used in. This album is witty, fun and downright amazing.
Bump |
| 0.0 | Steoandnoodles | January 27th 11 |
With Dog Problems, The Format go against all odds and bank a fantastic pop outing with no one song being over-thrown by another. Catchy, smart, funny and quirky; Dog Problems is something that any fan of pop music needs to listen to.
Bump |
| 5.0 classic | nabrazune | April 18th 10 |
An amazing rock experience, full of emotion and power. The only thing that holds this back from being perfect is a couple parts that drag a little (the beginning of If Work Permits and Natches). But everything from the Freddie Mercury inspired vocals to the Neutral Milk Hotel jam at the end of the album (you'll know when you get to it) ties together perfectly to make and album that just feels natural.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | Tiberone | December 4th 09 |
Really the best way I can put this is this: If not for tracks 3 through 5, 'Dog Problems' would be a classic. As in, 5.0. This
album is amazing. Incredible. Even perfect. But only for 9 of its 12 tracks.
The album starts off with the mind-blowing one-two punch of "Matches" and "I'm Actual," but then immediately
descends into inexplicably frustrating normalcy over the next three tracks. "Time Bomb" starts off fine but ends up
having an average chorus. Then "She Doesn't Get It" really gets old after a couple listens. And "Pick Me Up" is just... well,
weird. But then out of nowhere, "Dog Problems," possibly the best four minutes of music you'll ever hear, rights the
ship, and from there it's smooth sailing through the end, when "If Work Permits" works itself into such a fantastic frenzy
it can't help but self-destruct in an impressive blaze of glory.
Tracks 3-5 aren't really bad, per se, but when they're book-ended by incredible works like the title track and "I'm
Actual," they just don't stand a chance. Add to that some truly baffling issues with how the tracks are mixed and you've
got... well, you've still got a really, really excellent album.
Standout tracks: Dog Problems, If Work Permits, Snails
Bump |
| 5.0 classic | eldannyo24 | May 6th 08 |
the best band i've ever listened too. ruess is a great inspiration to all song writers, looking very forward to his solo project
Bump |
| 5.0 classic | gottalovett07 | January 1st 07 |
This is the perfect pop album. It appeals to any mood at any time. The vocal harmonies and orchestrated parts are so tight and each song is so complex yet so simple. They lyrics are great and the singer's voice is amazing.
Bump |
| 3.5 great | dmoz47 | January 23rd 24 |
| 3.0 good | Zakusz | January 9th 24 |
| 4.0 excellent | woxdy | December 15th 21 |
| 3.5 great | Above | May 4th 21 |
| 3.5 great | spur55 | March 31st 21 |
| 3.0 good | Pangea | February 10th 21 |
| 5.0 classic | Oobaloo | November 30th 20 |
| 3.5 great | Sowing STAFF | May 21st 20 |
| 4.5 superb | Yorma | February 7th 20 |
| 4.5 superb | Ben | July 24th 19 |
| 4.5 superb | Josh | April 18th 19 |
| 3.5 great | Mojito | October 26th 17 |
| 4.5 superb | Tom R. CONTRIBUTOR | September 19th 17 |
| 3.0 good | Feels | July 26th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | NickyP | May 2nd 17 |
| 4.5 superb | Eswin17 | October 10th 16 |
| 4.5 superb | Illume | August 8th 16 |
| 2.5 average | Runeii | April 24th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | AnarkyV | February 3rd 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | elry2k | October 6th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | Preston | April 12th 15 |
| 3.5 great | seifer | March 12th 15 |
| 5.0 classic | Jaime | June 8th 14 |
| 3.5 great | jmh886 | March 7th 14 |
| 5.0 classic | choch25 | November 19th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Pox | March 20th 13 |
| 3.0 good | BroFro | January 23rd 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | PurpIe | October 23rd 12 |
| 5.0 classic | ETfan | August 10th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Yay | June 25th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Dashy | June 2nd 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Lakes. | March 17th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | MtMoon | March 8th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Maniac! | February 20th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | mttgry | January 18th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | Troggy | January 4th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | iBrad99 | January 2nd 12 |
| 5.0 classic | cyalily | December 31st 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Rev | November 7th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | awaaake | October 28th 11 |
| 5.0 classic | svgtech | September 6th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | whets2 | August 24th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Sconza | July 28th 11 |
| 3.0 good | Teto | June 4th 11 |
| 5.0 classic | JFay82 | April 29th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | Jdok | April 27th 11 |
| 5.0 classic | derekkp | February 12th 11 |
| 5.0 classic | MrRaawr | February 2nd 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | earlchau | December 15th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Roomex | November 13th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | JackMEB | September 28th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Edub991 | September 6th 10 |
| 3.0 good | DayMan | August 25th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | PieRye | August 11th 10 |
| 3.0 good | greg84 EMERITUS | August 8th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | Veldin | August 7th 10 |
| 3.5 great | mss71 | June 25th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | mppwns | June 10th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | DaveyBoy EMERITUS | June 5th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | DiceMan | February 9th 10 |
| 3.5 great | mjr20 | November 29th 09 |
| 3.5 great | mallen | November 10th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Ricven | October 15th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | TEM | October 14th 09 |
| 3.5 great | Rudy K. EMERITUS | September 24th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | Tilly | September 21st 09 |
| 3.5 great | Kiran EMERITUS | September 3rd 09 |
| 3.5 great | ziroth | September 1st 09 |
| 5.0 classic | jaarona | August 17th 09 |
| 1.5 very poor | feav233 | June 30th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Thef | June 6th 09 |
| 5.0 classic | mvdu | June 4th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | drapht00 | December 27th 08 |
| 3.0 good | Yotimi | December 24th 08 |
| 2.5 average | donovr | January 29th 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | TheDMV | November 23rd 07 |
| 3.5 great | Iai EMERITUS | November 22nd 07 |
| 4.5 superb | astrel | September 26th 07 |
| 4.5 superb | Goku | August 8th 07 |
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