Straw Dogs

"Roots-rockers Straw Dogs tell it like it is to the 'Rising Sun' or anyone within listening range. They recall the Jayhawks in their vocal department but also make sure that their twang is up a billion notches more than anyone else.
Lyrically it’s crafty and clever yet downright real. Their music is top-notch and would be quite entertaining to see live since the guitars just wail with
tone and power."
by J-Sin at Smother.net

You can find the review at this link:

http://www.smother.net/reviews/world.php3?ID=262
- J-Sin

Often I've written here about artists that straddle the line between (power) pop and alt-country/Americana, and one of the acts that consistently crosses that line back and forth is Seattle's Straw Dogs. Back with their fifth album and first in four years, tunesmiths David von Beck and Darren Smith have crafted yet another laid-back and melodic marvel that pop fans will enjoy.

Love and then Hope opens with the languid "Lie Awake", displaying the Dogs' signature sound. "Could You" is more upbeat, featuring von Beck & Smith's stellar harmonies with an ending that's reminiscent of The Everly Brothers. The rootsy "Down My Hall" is another winner, as well as the radio-friendly "Serious Love". "Here In My Garden", meanwhile, is as good as anything on The Jayhawks' Hollywood Town Hall, and "Fallow" is a great Eagles-style midtempo rocker. Von Beck and Smith are such musical pros that there's a uniform quality to the proceedings - not a bad track to be found. If you're in the mood for some great "Popicana", you won't do any better than the Straw Dogs. - Absolute PowerPop

Excellent roots-rock-pop in the vein of Tom Petty, Darden Smith, Minibar The Jayhawks and The Cash Brothers. It`s an earthy blend of memorable melodies filled with gentle but soaring harmonies and the gentle jangling of guitars and tasteful pedal steel. Very Highly Recommended!
- Bruce Brodeen, Not Lame Records - Bruce Brodeen,

Hum of the Motor is a road album in the best sense of the label – just
enough country, just enough rock and just enough of a shimmering epic
quality to evoke highway journeys. David von Beck's songwriting is top notch and from the sunny and a little sad “All the Things” to the grooving “Blinds Me Again,” he employs a sound reminiscent of James Taylor, Jackson Browne and Ryan Adams. Dan Tyack's pedal steel really stands out, especially on the shuffling "Last Exit" -- a good old country tune that has a lot in common with the material of the Los Angeles outfit I See Hawks In L.A., and though von Beck hasn't developed a vibe as characteristic as say, Eric Bachmann's Crooked Fingers -- yet -- he's well on his way.
- All Music Guide

Most of the songs on Hum of the Motor feature tasty guitar hooks and subtle but driving drums, making for a clear AAA sound. Because of the feel, it’s perfect for radio though the lyrics are what really make this disc. Most songs are about relationships but not in a tired he-said-she-said way. It’s the kind of album you want blasting through your car window on a sunny day, forgetting that some of it is about less-than-cheery themes.

“Truth to Every Night” paints a vivid picture of a young hooker while “Last Exit” uses highway and driving metaphors to describe a dying relationship, and “When She Was Good” is about the passing of a loved one. The vocals remind me of the group America, but with an updated sound. My only complaint is that the CD cruises along at about the same level. I could have used more variation in the arrangements and melodies.

The group’s core is songwriters David von Beck (lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitars) and Darren Smith (guitars, vocals, bass and keyboards). Other musicians include Casey Miller on drums and percussion, Dan Tyack on pedal steel and John Fricke on trumpet. Roll down your window and enjoy.
- Sing Out! Magazie

Music junkie is a title that fits me as well as Caucasian male.
As the former, my goal is always to discover that illusive CD that
stays in the player for weeks at a time. With the Straw Dogs new effort, Hum Of The Motor, I believe I have found it.

The Straw Dogs are a two-piece, pop-rock band that has compiled a winner.
Take Hoist-era Phish, combine it with Tom Pettyesque vocals, and add a twist of popiness and the equation would equal out somewhere near the sound of Hum Of The Motor.

This album is solid cover to cover, and includes poppy, radio-ready tracks, such as "The Pains of Arkansas" and "Blinds Me Again".
Another worthy track is "Last Exit". This poppy song uses vivid farm field imagery seen from the window of a car to skirt the cliché of a rock song about finality. While this is certainly the road the song travels, it does so in a fresh manner.

"The window's just rows
and rows of forgotten fields
Blurring away as you lean on the gas"

Everything Straw Dogs bring to the table is well written. And the music is catchy enough to leave in my CD player for a good, long time. - Impact Press

“Any Place At All” is a suitable title for this CD. This is the kind of music that you could play any place at all, and everyone would find it agreeable. I found it much more than agreeable. This album is a rock-pop tour de force.

David von Beck and Darren Smith take care of all the vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards, and programming work on the entire recording. I use the word work ever so lightly though; as this talented duo makes it sound like it’s an easy task to achieve so much, with seemingly so little. A natural feeling is projected throughout this CD, and it makes you feel very comfortable. The atmosphere is flooded by two great voices coming together, but you don’t drown, you float on the vibes. It’s a beautiful thing. They are a remarkably harmonious duo that remains consistent on a level that most would be hard pressed to maintain.

Yes indeed, it’s a rare occasion that music sounds this good across the board. It’s as good, or better than any mega-hit music that you hear saturating the airwaves every day.

These dogs aren’t made of straw, they are forged, tempered steel beams made to last.
- Suite101.com

This Seattle duo of David von Beck and Darren Smith are all about the songwriting. Their ability to combine meaningful lyrics with tasty hooks and glorious harmonies makes Any Place At All a standout. Their acoustic based sound can be compared to Counting Crows or a male version of the Indigo Girls. Intelligent lyrics and great melodies seem to be at a premium these days, but the Straw Dogs have an abundance of them, plus those great harmonies. Their brand of folk/pop is timeless. - Suite101.com

"They relentlessly pound track after track of catchy guitar sounds, unmatched vocal harmonies and a seasoned song writing ability that had a distinct sound of their own."
"Now, I never like to give a review without giving some sort of comparison to other artists to give the readers a general of idea of their sound. This was hard but if I had to compare them to any other artist out there I would compare their vocal harmonies to the similarities of "The Jayhawks" and David von Beck's (lead) vocals have a Tom Petty meets James Taylor sound. And Darrin Smith's ability to harmonize with von Beck is simply some of the greatest that I've ever heard."
-Kevin Feild, RealMusicReview.com - RealMusicReviews.com