The Golden Dogs are one of the many Canadian indie rock artists streaming into the States. No, they are not from Montreal, but this Toronto-based power pop group led by husband and wife team Dave Azzolini (Songwriter, Guitar, Vocals) and Jessica Grassia (Keyboards, Vocals, Percussion) is making just as much noise as their artsy peers.
The Golden Dogs recently hit #20 on the CMJ charts with "
Everything In Three Parts," which was released in the U.S. last month by Arizona's Funzalo Records.
The National Post described the group this way:
The Golden Dogs' front man is Jeff Tweedy's inner child. Or maybe Iggy Pop with a guitar and better hair. ... This is the best rock 'n' roll has felt all weekend (NXNE), all bloody and sweaty and very nearly transcendent."
To me the Dogs are more accessible than Iggy Pop and at times more raucous that Jeff Tweedy's stuff. You can also hear the Beatles', Tom Waits' and maybe a little Elvis Costello influence as well. Standout tracks on
Everything in Three Parts include Birdsong and Don't Make a Sound.