31.5.07

Dogbowl - Cyclops Nuclear Submarine Captain (1991)


Cyclops Nuclear Submarine Captain is an album of bizarre love songs. Strange lyrics play over a backdrop of clarinet solos and melody. Dogbowl spares no one in making music that is incredible challenging and very likable at the same time. Really, the core of the songs are pop love songs, but he approaches them with such strange imagery that the music comes alive more than any straightforward ballad could ever. Cyclops Nuclear Submarine Captain doesn't compromise anything for palatability. It is really pop music that has mutated into a similar but different entity. The melodies are sweet, but the lyrics and sound are so far removed from anything the average music fan is familiar with. Dogbowl writes good songs outside any kind of standard convention. The mismatched imagery is reminiscent of King Missile, but each track is a full-rounded song. The noticeable difference between King Missile and Dogbowl is that Dogbowl has replay value as well as a bizarre sense of humor. Cyclops Nuclear Submarine Captain offers up complete songs that are very sing-able. Dogbowl has created music that is memorable and strange and definitely underappreciated.
Matt Whalley, All Music Guide

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks a lot for this Dogbowl release! I know only his work in early King Missile, but his departure somewhat dropped the quality of music from John S. Hall's grouping.

The review you provide want me to listen to it - so thanks for providing this gem!

Ralph Dodger said...

Thanks!