Saddle Creek’s band Hop Along is gearing up for the release their third studio album, Bark Your Head Off, Dog; slated to drop on April 6 via the Saddle Creek Store. In an effort to hold fans over, the Philadelphia based rockers gives the public a preview of what to expect off the project by way of their new single, “Not Abel”.
The formidable 9-song collection is the band’s strongest and most cohesive album to date. Crafted by Frances Quinlan (songwriter, lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist), Tyler Long (bass), Joe Reinhart (guitar), and Mark Quinlan (drums), the album considers what it’s like to cast off longheld and misguided perceptions.
Self-produced and recorded at The Headroom in Philadelphia by Reinhart and Kyle Pulley, Bark Your Head Off, Dog features the familiar sounds that have always made the band allergic to genre: grunge, folk, punk, and power pop all appear, with inspiration from ELO to Elvis Costello to ‘70s girl group vocal arrangements.
The record calls upon references that Quinlan has woven throughout all of the band’s albums: the wild presence of animals (rabbits, foxes, dogs, and blue jays all appear on this record) and historical touchstones (from a podcast on World War I to books by Karl Ove Knausgaard). Hop Along’s songs continue to reveal the curiosities nesting in Quinlan’s mind.
What did you think of Hop Along’s new single, “Not Abel”? Tell us below in the comment section. Want more Hop Along? Be sure to connect with the band across your favorite social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
