that dog. – that dog. (1993)

that dog. – that dog.

Back in 1993, alternative rock and punk were having a minor heyday, and suddenly labels like 4AD that had been solidifying in the underground for over ten years were beginning to carve out their niche in the alt-rock zeitgeist. It seemed back then that almost anyone could make it, that finally, the major label suppression of the music charts was beginning to dissipate. Of course, now we know that the music industry was certainly still a business and it wouldn’t be until the streaming era that the floodgates would really open for young artists to have a real chance regardless of background. that dog. seems like a case for that initial argument, they were an alt band led by Anna Waronker, a hip young blonde girl who liked to associate with the likes of Beck and Blur, two other examples of the obscure being championed by the mainstream. But Anna’s father was Lenny Waronker, an executive at Warner Brothers who no doubt validated many of Anna’s inspirations. Band members Petra and Rachel Haden were similarly brought up in a musical family by their father, jazz bassist Charlie Haden, and had even gone to the same high school as Waronker. It’s with these extra layers behind the band’s history that the story of the '90's rock boom becomes more clear. Most consumers at that time were happy just to be able to hear different types of music championed on MTV and throughout record stores without needing to label anyone an “industry plant” (a term that unfortunately could be pretty easily used against Waronker and co.) that dog. would make three albums before they broke up, none of them did that well commercially but their debut still remains a testament to what a bunch of kids with an off-kilter music taste could do with some label money and artistic control around that time. The music itself is a bit dated but still presents the youthful unspoiled vigor that bands kill to have on their debut's. This year that dog., is re-releasing their debut as a deluxe reissue and for good reason, the album remains a footnote in a very specific era in music history and these songs deserve to be remembered.

~8.0

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