What makes Bark Your Head Off, Dog by Hop Along notable?

This album received widespread acclaim from critics, holding a score of 85 on Metacritic, indicating universal praise. It notably showcased Hop Along's growing influence in the indie rock scene, featuring prominently on 'Best of' lists for 2018 and solidifying their standing as key players in contemporary folk rock. Bark Your Head Off, Dog is Hop Along's third studio album, following the critically acclaimed Painted Shut from 2015. The band had started to gain significant attention, building on their reputation for blending raw emotionality with complex musical arrangements. Released in early 2018, this album captures their evolution into a more polished sound while retaining their signature lyrical depth.

How many songs are on Bark Your Head Off, Dog?

Bark Your Head Off, Dog has 9 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Bark Your Head Off, Dog

Hop Along · 2018

40 min · 9 tracks · folk rock

An intricate blend of folk rock, marked by vivid storytelling and dynamic instrumentation that shifts from reflective to raucous.

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Top tracks — play these first

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How Simple — Opening the album with a contemplative tone, this track sets the stage for the thoughtful lyrics and intricate melodies that define the record.
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Not Abel — This song stands out for its poignant exploration of personal struggle and resilience, showcasing Frances Quinlan's emotive vocal delivery against a rich instrumental backdrop.
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What the Writer Meant — A highlight of lyrical introspection, this track delves into the complexities of interpretation and meaning, embodying the album's thematic depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album features strong songwriting and dynamic shifts, but lacks a fully cohesive arc throughout.

What we noticed

The album opens with a brisk tempo in 'How Simple', which sets an energetic tone that persists through the first half.
Several tracks feature abrupt shifts in dynamics, such as 'Not Abel', where quiet verses explode into raucous choruses.
The lyrics often employ vivid imagery and storytelling, particularly in 'Somewhere a Judge' and 'What the Writer Meant'.
The final track, 'Prior Things', concludes with a gradual deceleration, allowing for a reflective finish.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 How Simple 3:48
2 Somewhere a Judge 3:52
3 How You Got Your Limp 2:36
4 Not Abel 4:36
5 The Fox in Motion 3:59
6 One That Suits Me 5:16
7 What the Writer Meant 4:06
8 Look of Love 6:11
9 Prior Things 5:42

What to play next

Go back to

Painted Shut

2015

Full Hop Along discography Artists like Hop Along

folk rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata