Labels: Sonic Masala
Review by: MH
I saw this band play at an all-dayer in Brisbane last year that would’ve had a few people who read this website salivating as Dick Diver, Blank Realm and UV Race also played. I hadn’t heard Dollar Bar before that day – I remember looking them up and it being another of those situations where I was spoilt for choice by the amount of songs on their Bandcamp page so instead went into shock mode, didn’t know where to start and was panicked into listening to something else. The band started out in 1998 so there’s a stack of stuff on there. I made sure I watched them as I’d heard comparisons to Guided By Voices and Superchunk on my travels. They were great that day. Always a good sign if a band is that impressive without you knowing any of their songs. Since then I sporadically listen to random songs of theirs but am no expert. I’m kind of working my way slowly and chaotically through their back catalogue.
I think this is their 3rd proper album. This time around there are 16 tracks of lo-fi but hard-to-define indie rock and it’s decent with lots of hooks and melodies – a lot of these tracks come in under two minutes long so don’t get a chance to outstay their welcome either. The first track is a cracker. It’s called “The Imposters” and is a mid-paced and melodic post punky track. I’d heard this one before as it’s one of the ones I listen to and it gets a reworking here. “Australia Hates Me” is up next and is a bit of a gem. It’s short but laced with melancholy and a definite highlight. Lyrically they’re a little quirky. One of the tracks references an old Canadian TV show that I’m completely unfamiliar with. It’s kind of hard to pinpoint what they sound like too. They do have a Guided By Voices side to them and they’re a clear influence but there are bigger rock songs along the way and plenty of variation which is partly thanks to the alternation in vocals throughout the record but also in the songwriting. It’s a really solid record – I’ve had it on regularly since it was sent in.