Detailed Reviews [Dobbeltgjenger - 2021 - "Smooth Failing"]

Prolusion. Norwegian band DOBBELTGJENGER has been around in one form or another at least since 2014, and from 2016 and onward they have been releasing music at a steady pace too. "Smooth Failing" is their third studio album, and was released by Norwegian label Karisma Records in April 2021.

Analysis. Norwegian label Karisma Records is best known in music circles for releasing some excellent albums by Norwegian progressive rock bands, but they aren't strangers to look beyond genre confinements and expectations either. I do guess that part of the reason for why Dobbeltgjenger is signed to Karisma Records is their connections to some other progressive rock bands though, even if the band itself is, to my ears at least, a bit more of an alternative rock band. A quirky and eclectic one at that, but closer to alternative shores than progressive ones as far as I'm concerned; at least on this most recent album of theirs. This is the kind of album that I expect will come with quite a few comments referencing the symbolic kitchen sink and similar kind of remarks from many writers. This is because there's not really a narrowly defined style at hand here, while the number of different style details used and included are bountiful. As such I do find this production to be one oriented more towards mood and atmosphere, in this case one that is uplifting, positive and jubilant. Even if the tone of the music and arrangements may also slide off into darker realms at times. Recurring features are tight, funky guitar licks and distinct bass and drums driven grooves, the latter alongside the use of occasional high pitched vocals adding a slight touch of Bee Gees to the proceedings. Some Americana details pops up here and there too, alongside references to psychedelic rock, but both of these tend to be a part of a greater and much different totality with the aforementioned funk and groove details, but also as a part of a more noise rock oriented landscape or a quirkier, expressive type of arrangement that steps a bit outside of conventional genre conventions. That the album concludes with a song that may or may not also feature the odd reference to good, old The Beatles kind of fits the territory I guess, and that we are treated to some fine electro-rock arrangements here and there on this album probably doesn't come as a surprise at this stage either. Oh, and there's some good use of the saxophone throughout too, just to mention that little detail as well.

Conclusion. While Dobbeltgjenger explore a rather eclectic, jubilant and creative variety of rock music on this album, the general mood and atmosphere throughout gave me associations to an artist very much different in overall style, namely Canadian artist and band Danko Jones. On this album, I find that Dobbeltgjenger manage to conjure a similar kind of vibrant, positive and uplifting energy, even if using a vastly different approach as well as different sounds and exploring a much different type of music to boot. But if you tend to enjoy the fun and outgoing spirit of an artist like Danko Jones, and you also find bands that doesn't mind using elements from a dozen different genres in their songs, I suspect there's a very high probability that Dobbeltgjenger's new album "Smooth Failing" is one that you will want to get familiar with.

Progmessor: April 2021
The Rating Room