REVIEWS OF EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY (1988)

Focus (Hickory, NC)
Sept. 29, 1988
Bow wow wow. This is the record that Mitch Easter has been threatening to make for years—killer duller and attractively built. The first two full-length Let's Active albums, Cypress and Big Plans For Everybody, were satisfying if a tad uneven, occasionally victimized by Mitch's fussy production. Here, however, he ditches the I-can-play-every- instrument-ever-invented approach, bringing in a drummer and bassist to accompany his guitar and Angie Carlson's keys, and the result is a fuller, more straight-ahead, batten-down-the-hatches sound, exemplified by the explosive "Too Bad," the propulsive rock-pop title cut and drop-dead "I Feel Funny." Carison emerges as a fine vocalist on the hypnotic, folk-poppy "Horizon" and the gorgeous folk-rocker "Forty Years," both cowritten by her and Mitch, and the band grinds gears into reverse on the zany spy/surf guitar meets garage drums and subterranean bass instrumental "Orpheus in Hades Lounge" (strongly recommended as a new theme song for I.R.S.' Cutting Edge on MTV). Best of all is Mitch and Angie's crisp vocal duet on the magnif, strummy, pop-rocking "Mr. Fool," the best indictment of a cool jerk since the Lyres' "High on Yourself."

Musician Magazine
By J.D. Considine
How do I love this album? Let me count the ways. For starters, the writing is rock solid, matching gorgeously melancholy tunes like "Horizon" and "Mr. Fool" with such aggressively upbeat numbers as "Too Bad" and the title tune. Then there's the sound of the album, which is big, bold and bursting with detail, delivering the most muscular Let's Active groove ever. And finally, there's the sense that Let's Active is a real band again, and not just Mitch Easter, Inc.; special thanks for Angie Carlson, whose voice is to Easter's what gin is to tonic.

The Island Ear (Long Island, NY)
Oct. 4, 1988
By Jane Rupert
Every dog has his day. Some of them, like Let's Active, deserve it. A friend of mine described this album as "pop that bruises." And it does! Mitch Easter and company have always put out lively, quirky pop records. This one can really rock out and is by far their best. With its swooping melodies and punchy riffs, Every Dog approaches perfect pop. Angie Carlson's writing and vocals compliment Easter's throughout. "Horizon," "Night Train," "Bad Machinery" and, of course, the title track jump out immediately. But there are no duds here. Blast it with all the windows open and you'll forget summer ever ended.

back to timeline