Abombanation comprises of five Alternative/Reggae influenced songs. Count, Radio Ghost, Musth, The Sleep, Everyday Life. Members of Dodger include. Matt Drake of lead guitar and vocals, Luke Muldoon on guitar and backing vocals, Stu Fazemas on drums, Ryan Regimbal on bass guitar and Andrew Russell on Keyboards.

One feature that cannot be overlooked about Abombanation is the front cover for the album. During my interview with Matt I had to ask about the front cover because of its unusual figure on the front cover. There is a guy wearing a skeleton mask with lobster claws for hands, a cowboy riding a horse behind him and also the addition of a couple flying saucers. You really should check out the cover for yourself.

A couple of bands which shares the identical sound which Dodger has been playing for a couple of years now includes, Ill Scarlett and Sublime. There is also the small but also distinct influences from the 80’s bands such as English Beat and The Specials plus others.

A distinct song which I originally thought was a rip of English Beat’s Mirror In The Bathroom is “Radio Ghost”. I probably listened to the song about four times the first time I went through the album. After listening to “Mirror In The Bathroom” you can tell that “Radio Ghost” is not a rip, but I don’t think that I have ever have listened to a song as convincing as much as “Radio Ghost” did. Out of all the songs off of Abomination “Radio Ghost” probably has one of the better opening hooks to the song.  Additionally to the opening hook and the rhythm tic guitars the vocals really carry out the song. What I enjoy the most about the vocals is the tone and the deepness of the vocals. The higher pitched vocals from a couple of bands is one of the only turnoffs for me when I listen to alternative/ Reggae genre. Lead singer Matt Drake posses a nice rounded deeper set of vocals, which I feel gives the songs a bit more character. Including the vocals and guitar riff another addition to the song which is fetching is the lyrics. If I had to choose which song would be the lead off single from the album  “Radio Ghost” would be the song that I would choose.

“Count” is the first song off of Abombanation. A band which should bring to your mind with this song would be The Salads. “Count” has more of a heavier edge compared to the other tracks on the album. The guitars in “Count” gives the song a small fraction of the Reggae sound but what really gives out the Reggae sound and feel is Matts vocals. If the vocals were done in any other way the song would be a strict alternative  song, but because Matt’s vocals are so distinct and on the money they really give the band and the song their distinct sound.  One of the reasons why I enjoy this song as much as I do is because of the heavier guitar riffs that are played throughout the song, the heavier guitars scares off the Pop/Rock sound that can sometimes be found in this genre of music.

You can pick up your copy of Abombanation by visiting their myspace page, and follow the links. www.myspace.com/dodgermusic.

Matt Hartwick
m.hartwick@partyinkingston.com