Land and Fixed by Blank Dogs
LABEL: Captured Tracks

It sounds as though Mike Sniper, the once anonymous front man of Blank Dogs, has invested in a new synthesizer and he’s not afraid to use it. I’ll admit I had never heard of the Brooklyn based post-punk project until now; shame on me seeing as how Blank Dogs have released six singles, seven EPs, and three LPs in just three short years. Sniper himself is also the mastermind behind the independent label Captured Tracks, which paired with his anonymity has risen him to mythical proportions in the Brooklyn indie scene. As soon as I got my headphones on and gave the band’s newest album, Land and Fixed, a listen, I was hooked. Naturally, I delved into Sniper’s older workings and I can safely say this is Blank Dogs’ best album yet. The biggest difference being a cleaner, crisper, less lo-fi feel from their previous work. You’ll hear a lot less static and lot more of the downright catchy beats accompanied by Sniper’s haunting vocals. Its obvious that Sniper has better resources at his disposal this time around. The difference, however, isn’t great enough to warrant gaining much of a crossover audience. 

“Like the first level of a classic Sonic the Hedgehog game, it incites imagery of 16-bit palm trees and oceans.”

The music itself has lost the lo-fi haze, but is far from a collection of (non-indie) radio friendly hits. It still maintains a certain fog to it with pop-goth guitar riffs and catchy synthesizer beats to light the way. “Northern Islands” gives off an almost tropical feel to it, except with tight, focused synth lines throughout. Like the first level of a classic Sonic the Hedgehog game, it incites imagery of 16-bit palm trees and oceans. If you want to take a trip into the darkness, “Insides” would be your best bet. This track will take you back and forth between idle and dragging, spry and anxious. “Elevens,” an electronic instrumental track, really shows off Sniper’s mixing and production skills. Each note connects masterfully and it quickly becomes clear that he is something of a musical virtuoso. My personal favorite track would probably have to be “Collides.” Riveting drum and basslines, paired with light airy synth beats compliment Sniper’s shady vocals quite well.

Land and Fixed definitely takes Blank Dogs in a new territory somewhere close to dance-punk and no-wave. The few choruses found here are lead by guitar lines and synth rather than vocals and lyrics. These tracks won’t be stuck in your head all day, but will instead feel like a great movie that ended much too soon. To put it another way, this album asks to be listened to the same way a cigarette asks to be smoked—you may think you’ve had enough but you’ll be back.


REVIEWED BY STEPHEN RICARDO
STEPHEN’S FAVORITE TRACKS: “Northern Islands” • “Elevens” • “Collides”


FREE MP3: “Northern Islands” (right-click & save)