The return of Dogstar was bigger than the initial run of Dogstar by a longshot. This is mainly due to Johnny Silverhand himself, Keanu Reeves, returning as bassist for this 90’s-tastic alt-rock trio.
All In Now, coming in at a flat 37 minutes across 12 tracks, is the exact style you’d hear in a pool hall blasting at 11PM in 1994. The thick bass roll from and fuzz guitar from the opening track “Math” give the instant imagery and vibe of a poorly list room filled with smoke and angst.
That identity that Dogstar set in this album is thick and almost to a fault. Little variation is given to this short range jamband style and as a result, much of the album sounds like one endless session of three best friends all playing together while disassociation.
You can feel a consistent personality through the runtime and you can sense the band coming to life when imaging this is a live setting. While there is rarely a standout moment, the album is tightly performed and you never question if this is just a quick star power cash-in.
It’s equal parts dreamy and bitter, which suits what Dogstar is trying to produce. “Joy” gives the long midnight drive through a dark city while “This Sphere” is the brighter TV soundtrack to teenagers trying to figure out how to cause debauchery without getting in too much trouble.
The entire album is a full experience but much of it doesn’t connect with hits. You are never upset for listening to it but it may not last in your mainframe. Is All In Now an album worth rushing to hear? No, but it’s also one I would never turn off if I heard it.
