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Dobbeltgjenger — Master of Failure
(Apollon Records AP212, 2025, CD / LP / DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2025-03-15

Master of Failure Cover art

Dobbeltgjenger’s follow-up to the INXS-inspired The Twins, predictably for this band, makes a distinct stylistic shift. Acoustic guitars are the dominant sound on some tracks, though the songwriting is very much in the same intelligent, melodic vein as previous albums. “Weatherman” sounds a bit like a lost song by The Church, while the title track has a Laurel Canyon feel to it — think early Crosby, Stills, and Nash. The more upbeat songs, like “Isolation,” “Chameleon Life,” and “Good-looking Human on the Side of the Road,” have an infectious feel to them, balancing hard-hitting danceable grooves with good melodies and creative arrangements that keep a listener engaged. The bass parts in particular are outstanding. The mellow and moody “Credit Card” is beautiful in an unusual way, with outstanding harmony vocals, tinkling piano, and odd echoes along with a thumping bass drum. I can’t put my finger on a specific influence to the songs on Master of Failure, but every track is a little gem. There’s less overt influence from progressive rock on this album than we heard earlier in their career, though their impeccable melodic sense is intact and the album (in spite of the title) is just an all-around fun ride.

Filed under: New releases, 2025 releases

Related artist(s): Dobbeltgjenger

More info
http://dobbeltgjenger.bandcamp.com/album/master-of-failure

 

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