Rob Larkin “Dogwood Roots”

Independent, 2011

Unremarkable debut album

• ‘Dogwood Roots’ is the debut album from former singer/lead guitarist with Los Angeles band ‘The Getup’. If you are looking for something reminiscent of mid-seventies California then this is the album for you.

• It is your standard fare from an artist who wants to please all and offend no one. There are some rocky tracks ('Tijuana' and 'In Too Deep'), some slow tracks (‘Dogwood’ and 'L.A.') but, mainly, every track sounded like it would be followed by ‘Big, Bad Leroy Brown’.

  There are plenty of harmonies, plenty of keyboards and a healthy amount of harmonica but surprisingly little guitar from a lead guitarist. ‘Dogwood Roots’ is a competent album but no more than that; it sounds like Larkin was more concerned about not making a mistake rather than making something that would get the pulse racing a little.