Since the release of their 2013 album Lose Control, when they really began to get their punk pop sound under control, the Sacramento duo
Dog Party have been getting better with each record. 2016's
'Til You're Mine is no exception, though really it's not any better than their very strong 2014 record
Vol. 4. So maybe the Giles sisters, Gwendolyn on guitar and vocals and Lucy on drums, are leveling off and that's fine. If they get no better than this, they have reached a level that few punk pop bands have, especially those that are still high school and college age. Like on
Vol. 4, the songs here have an assured punch and some pretty big hooks that are powered by crashing drums and simple but effective guitar work. Gwendolyn's vocals are strong throughout and a little more expressive than before, especially when she goes beyond a punk snarl and reaches deep for some melancholy crooning, like on "What Do I Want." Her snarl is still as snarly as ever, no worries there. Check their slashing cover of
Bikini Kill's "Rebel Girl" or the title track for proof of that. The band sticks to the three-chord punk formula that works for them for the most part, though there is the occasional little diversion like the swaying "Round 'N Round," which sounds like a great early
Best Coast song with better lyrics and the surf freakout "Lay Back!!!" By the time the album is over, it's clear that
Dog Party have truly reached the full potential that their early work promised. It will be interesting to see where they take it from here. ~ Tim Sendra