REX THE DOG THE REX THE DOG SHOW ALBUM HUNDEHAUS, COOPERATIVE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 1, 2008 REVIEW: AUGUST 21, 2008

When I first heard the Rex the Dog remix of Depeche Mode’s “Photographic” I was amazed by the sounds, the beat and the feeling he put into the song. He has kept on doing reworks of other bands since then, always adding his own special brand, at the same time keeping the essence of the original song. During this time we have also been treated to four singles with his music, all released on vinyl of course.

Now it’s finally time for his album debut and perhaps also his big break among the masses. A big break is definitely what he deserves, as this is one of the finest, most danceable albums I have heard in many years. Rex takes a sample from Yazoo, adds some italo disco-esque sounds from one of his analogue machines and combined with a haunting drum beat we have “Bubblicious”, just one of the tracks on here that you just can’t stop dancing to.

The new single from the album, “I Can See You, Can You See Me?” is a perfect example of the world that he creates for us, adding feelings to a genre that often just is about sounds and rhythms.

We have his old tracks on here and two remixes (The Knife and The Sounds) as well and everything is perfectly balanced; the blend between electro, old synthpop and different vocals is just amazing. I first let the CD blow up my stereo and its excellent dance music with pumping bass rhythms fills my apartment, and then I listen with my headphones to explore the landscape with little tweaks and sounds in the background.

The story behind the project, the use of old machines, the visual presentation with both the drawings in the booklet and the videos he publishes on YouTube combined with the quite anonymous man and dog behind the music, everything blends perfectly together. Very close to a ten, this is a great album debut and I’m both anxious and worried to find out where this will go.

TOBIAS ELIASSON