Dog Years
The Winery Dogs · 2017
25 min · 5 tracks · hard rock
Hard-hitting rock riffs collide with melodic choruses, showcasing virtuosic musicianship and emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Criminal — This track opens the EP with a driving rhythm and infectious chorus, setting the tone for the blend of hard rock and melody that defines the album.
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Solid Ground — Featuring an engaging interplay between guitar and vocals, this track captures the essence of resilience through its lyrical themes and dynamic instrumentation.
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Love Is Alive — With its heartfelt lyrics and soaring melodies, this song exemplifies the band's ability to meld emotional content with powerful rock elements, making it a standout moment on the EP.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The EP balances energetic rock with melodic moments, demonstrating strong musicianship but lacks a cohesive narrative.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature driving guitar riffs and high-energy tempos, while the last two slow down slightly, introducing more melodic elements.
- Each song showcases a distinct structure, often alternating between heavy verses and soaring choruses that highlight the band's musicianship.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- hard-hitting riffs with emotional depth
- short bursts of energetic expression
- melodic choruses that invite participation
- focused listening sessions with intensity
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy, immersive albums
- want softer, more subdued sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in early 2017, Dog Years marks The Winery Dogs' third studio release following their self-titled debut in 2013. At this point, the supergroup—comprised of established musicians from bands like Mr. Big and Dream Theater—was solidifying its identity within the hard rock genre while continuing to explore new musical territories.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dream Theater· Joe Satriani· Rival Sons
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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The Game
The lyrics shift from personal reflection to addressing a broader audience about life's challenges and choices.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Criminal 5:06
- 2 The Game 5:34
- 3 Solid Ground 5:26
- 4 Love Is Alive 4:23
- 5 Moonage Daydream 4:40
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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