Lost Dogs – Island Dreams
Label: Fools of the World
Style: Tropical Pop, Indie Rock
Released: 2005
My Grade: 4 stars
AMG: n/a
Sounds like: Jimmy Buffet, Mark Berney

Island Dreams is just that. This is an album you put on lay in the sun and do one of two things: 1) bask in the sunlight and enjoy the beach and all of its sights, sounds and smells or 2) wish you were at the beach enjoying the beach and all of its sights, sounds and smells. This the Dogs eighth studio album is a departure from their other ones. Gone are the twangy country-rock songs. Terry Taylor’s introspective lyrics, kicked off the island. The vocal harmonizing between the three Dogs, thrown into the blue lagoon. Instead we are treated to ten instrumental island-theme tunes devoid of any vocals save the few donated by Christine Glass-Byrd.

With song titles like “Sailing to the Cove” and “Sleepy Blue Lagoon” it is clear what the band’s intention was, namely to make a soundtrack for your summer vacation. And boy did that do a bang up job doing that. Christine first shows up on “Wikki Tikki” a Caribbean inspired song that is best listened to outdoors with a nice cold margarita in hand. “Kissed in the Mist” begs lovers to get up and dance with one another atop the island sands. Terry Taylor and Derri Daughtery do a wonderful job assembling melodies that Mike Roe can enhance with his impeccable guitar playing. I have to admit this record is so much “fun” to listen to. “Island Dreams” is a record that does not take itself seriously, it’s an album about enjoying life, love and the glorious creation we are surrounded by. If you listen to this CD with the expectations of hearing some really amazing instrumental music then “Island Dreams” will not leave your disc player for awhile but if you are expecting your typical Lost Dogs album there won’t be much for you to enjoy. History will show that the Dogs in their previous bands (Daniel Amos, The 77’s, The Choir) mastered every style of music they attempted, this is but another one to add to their repertoire.


Reviewed by: Aaron