Dirk Hemsath's 100th release represents 15 years of hard work under the guise of Doghouse Records. Collecting previously released and unreleased rock, punk, and emo beauts, the low-priced Doghouse 100 sampler is a fine modern portrayal of the Toledo-based record company. Major label converts the All-American Rejects provide the forceful acoustic rarity "the Cigarette Song," but more unplugged material comes in the form of Limbeck's stellar "Don't Turn Around, She's Not Worth It." The Honorary Title's "Snow Day" is a somber ...
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Dirk Hemsath's 100th release represents 15 years of hard work under the guise of Doghouse Records. Collecting previously released and unreleased rock, punk, and emo beauts, the low-priced Doghouse 100 sampler is a fine modern portrayal of the Toledo-based record company. Major label converts the All-American Rejects provide the forceful acoustic rarity "the Cigarette Song," but more unplugged material comes in the form of Limbeck's stellar "Don't Turn Around, She's Not Worth It." The Honorary Title's "Snow Day" is a somber prayer for the white stuff which counts frontman Jarrod Gorbel as a singer/songwriter with remarkable ability. More forceful and upbeat is the Break's potent donation "We Live Without Sleep," but pound for pound, the highlight here is Feable Weiner's "San Deem Us Ready," a majestic piece of power pop. Although River City High's mid-tempo "Down on Myself," produced by Our Lady Peace co-conspirator Arnold David Lanni, is a bit overproduced and underwhelming, the disc largely affirms that Doghouse has an exceptional lineup. ~ John D. Luerssen, Rovi
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