The Muse: Dr. Dog, “That Old Black Hole”

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With 2010’s Shame Shame, Philadelphia’s treasured Dr. Dog tightened up, to use the Black Keys’ term, and at this rate they’re poised to be as big as the Keys themselves. Having gotten their Beatles pastiche fixation out of the way, they’ve begun isolating parts: a lumbering bass tumble, stomping drums laced with watery conga, quizzical organ, upfront vocal harmonies that only split into individual voices for a hearty “whoa!” And in an even better development, the rootsy “That Old Black Hole” is one of their fastest-tempo tunes ever. Getting faster is what more bands should do on their sixth album.

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