Dogwood - Seismic (Cover Artwork)

Dogwood

Seismic (2003)

Tooth & Nail


If NOFX was a Christian band, this the album they would make - a collection of fast-paced tracks that actually move away from the dick-and-fart sense of humor they've been portraying for the past 15 years.

The title-track opener is as much annoying as it is mesmerizing. I wanted so much to enjoy this album apart from its many similaries, but the singer's voice killed every chance of that one happening. But hell, it didn't even matter that much - I just pretended the band was a NOFX side project and put myself at ease for the rest of the album.

Every song has the potential to be great, and amazingly, they all are. While I don't agree with what they're saying verbally, I can relate with their frustrations and emotions as they are very talented at getting their points across. The songwriting is well-crafted, and it's easy to see these gentleman are talented musicians. On top of that, they have the ability to make an album flow from one track to the next without sounding like their obvious mentors and my previous reference NOFX.

Track Listing:

1. Seismic
2. Selfish Americans
3. Conscience in a Cave
4. Sunsets are But Once A Day
5. Absolution
6. Home is Here
7. Your Tounge is the Deadliest of Arrows
8. Trailer Full of Tragedy
9. Faith
10. What Matters
11. Last of the Lost
12. Crushing

Choice picks are tracks 1, 3, 5, and 9.