Spectral Nights favourites Tugboat Captain have shared new album ‘Dog Tale’. Written and recorded in just one week, it finds lead singer Sox ruminating on London life when you’re navigating your mid to late 20s: ‘I feel like this album is a ‘Dog’s Tale’ of love, relationships, family and domesticity. I feel like lyrically, I’ve been honing in on this domestic story for a long time, and I’ve been trying to focus in on this feeling of “what is it like to be me? What does home mean to me and everyone else?’
The record opens in untypically sparse fashion as Sox delivers plans for paying the bills and living life on ‘Nothing Without’. Quirky Beta Band-style effects are added along with strings as everything becomes more orchestral. The title track follows with a declaration of ‘I’m an anxious Alsatian’ – this won’t be the last we’ll hear about mental health – and can be happily stored alongside other doggie anthems like Super Furry Animals’ ‘Golden Retriever’ and Gorky’s ‘Poodle Rockin”, albeit a little more laid back.
‘Keep Me Cool’ opens with the words ‘I am uncool, I am unhinged’ as Sox finds comfort in the support of others: ‘What would I do if you weren’t here?’ ‘Cheeks’ is another song that will reflect any introvert’s life with its talk of hanging out at the edge of crowd and trying to sing along to songs you don’t know the words to: ‘Where are my friends when I’m made to feel so fucking small?’
‘Impossible’ is a hypnotic and psychedelic love song that flits between Scott Walker and Neutral Milk Hotel as the fragile vocals admit ‘You are the only one that makes me feel incredible’. We’re back to the dogs on ‘Rufus, a loving Jeffrey Lewis-style ode to the ‘fluffiest of puppies’. He’s so beloved that even ‘If Rufus eats my slippers, I know I won’t mind’
‘Bored’ brought to mind Graham Coxon’s solo material with is honest admission of ‘I wake up every single morning without the sleep I need. It then veers into a calypso melody as Sox ponders the holidays he can’t afford, being bored and considers unwanted advice. ‘Rats in the Basement’ is a string-led piece that talks about rats, spaghetti and landlords, plus some jealousy to boot.
‘Park Benches’ again finds Sox looking inward against sadpop melodies: ‘When it’s all over, another 10 years of my life starting again with some loose ends’. ‘Thank God’ is about being grateful for the small things – ‘Wake up, it’s a beautiful morning and I hope it’s a beautiful day’ – even when you’re facing money worries: ‘Time flies buy my wage hasn’t changes since I was 22’.
The record finishes with ‘The Bahamas’, a bombastic piece of baroque pop that has a defiant declaration of ‘I expect to play a blinder’ as Sox does all he can to manifest his dream move overseas.
‘Dog Tale’ is a barkingly brilliant record.
Tour Dates
30 April – Bristol – The Lanes
1 May – Newport – Le Pub
2 May – Norwich – The Holloway
9 May – London – The Ivy House
10 May – London – The Ivy House
5bJune – Falmouth – The Fish Factory
26 June – Portsmouth – Deco
27 June – Brighton – Folklore
28 June – Rainham – The Oast
29 June – Oxford – The Tap Social