‘Madman in the Rain’, the new album from Washington DC-based Dot Dash is out now on The Beautiful Music.  Recorded at New York City’s Renegade Studios and produced by Grammy-winning Geoff Sanoff, ‘Madman in the Rain’ features 12 new Dot Dash songs.  

It’s a strange thing fate but what initially grabbed me was the Dylan Thomas reference in the opening track ‘Forever Far Out’ withits mid 80s feel and strong melody I’m thinking sunshine The Cure and a general production that has them right in the eye of the 80s storm. Theres a change of pace on ‘Space Junk, Satellites’ with a strong melody and doubled up vocals. The organ and shuffle backbeat works well. Hold on because ‘Tense & Nervous’ is a more uptempo slice of There are moments that remind me of listening to Julian Cope and his Teardrop Explodes and then the next song its the same era of inspiration but a real shift in style. ‘Madman in the Rain’ is a building journey that has elements of The Smiths in it and a california slice of sunshine in the melody that works against the title and the idea of Madmen and rain. I think I read somewhere when looking into the band that described them somewhere between REM and The JAm and I can definately hear some of that on songs like ‘Airwaves’ and their is The Byrds in the melodies but I do find my spirits raised when playing records like Dot Dash loudly, there’s just something about the songwriting and production that makes me feel like everythings gonna be ok.

Dot Dash has managed to play shows with some of the finest there has ever been from The Psychedelic Furs, to Ash, Hugh Cornwell (ex-Stranglers), Stiff Little Fingers, The Vibrators, The Fleshtones, Glen Matlock (ex-Sex Pistols), Urge Overkill, and Ian Hunter (ex-Mott The Hoople), to name a few there are many more on their resume and if they have been paying attention then the next one will be an even better record with an even wider influence that they’ve managed to absorb into their DNA. Until then this will do nicely. It’s pop in a lot of places but old school alternative pop played with guitars, bass, drums, keys and a whole lot of melody.

In the 80s it was hard to move fo rbands like this but it changed maybe Dot Dash will spark a return of bands who pen good guitar pop – their reach should be endless and their inspiration timeless. I’m off to grow out my fringe and swoon to ‘Wokeupdreaming’ like a DC take on what Jesus and Mary Chain used to do if they listened to the Byrds and the beach boys. Dot Dash make it sound effortless. Summer music is here and Dot Dash are on my playlist will they be on yours?

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Author: Dom Daley