Philadelphian five-piece Dr Dog apparently exists in a kind of time-bubble in which the years 1968-75 have been perfectly preserved.

This is no bad thing. Their fifth album Fate is an unassuming showcase of their old school sound, blending helpings of The Band and The Beatles (most obviously) into something that is patently Dr Doggish.

Take ‘The Ark’ for example: laid-back electric guitars in harmonised unison, elegantly fatalistic backing vocals and a few snazzy touches of organ providing a gorgeous setting for biblically subverting lyrics. Or ‘From’, Beatles circa ‘Hey Jude’ mixed with a few lashings of Wilco accompanying precise lyrics conjuring a sweet longing – with bit of nonsense about a ‘choo-choo train’ thrown in for good measure. Nice. Singer Toby Leaman has a touch of Jeff Tweedy about his voice, carefully enunciated phrases erupting into snarls of guttural sincerity when required.

Which is what Dr Dog is all about, drawing on the best pop of the past to create something enticingly honest.

Richard Davie