Cabin Dogs

PRESS

"a gem of a recording....for those who revel in the laid-back ease of Rick Danko's material and San Francisco's early 70's heyday of Workingman's Dead ... Full of calibrated musical magic, Cabin Dogs look inward to find sturdy, shimmering compositional gold on Electric Cabin." ... more
Honest Tune - July 2007

"Cabin Dogs succeed in crafting time-honored Americana tracks along the lines of The Band, Blue Rodeo and Wilco ... an interesting and consistently good release" ... more
allmusic.com - April 2007

"One of the leaders of iconic music act The Band, Levon Helm, once said: “Music is joyful noise.” Indeed twin brothers Rich and Rob Kwait, the leaders of Philadelphia-based band Cabin Dogs, certainly play with ebullient exuberance on Electric Cabin, this ensemble’s latest apple which hasn’t fallen far from its deeply rooted musical family tree of The Band, Grateful Dead and Bill Monroe.... The entire collection is distinguished by perfect production (c/o Band collaborator Aaron “Professor Louie” Hurwitz) and uncompromising attention to melody and lyric .... The best moment on the disc comes courtsy of the simple earnestness of “Phoenicia” whose gospel, folk and bluegrass tones move from hushed twangy lullaby to solemn spiritual cadence with accordion, angelic harmonies and sincere emotion from the Kwaits’ souls leading the way" ... more
Philly Edge Magazine - February 2007

"The Cabin Dogs' newest release, Electric Cabin, is a pure joy to experience: at times sounding like classic groups Poco or The Band and at other times jam bands like Phish or Assembly of Dust. Their music is feel-good contagious and is sure to put a smile on your face and get your feet tapping. The heart of the band are the Kwait brothers Rich and Rob: they share vocal duties, play guitars, bass, banjo, and harp, and wrote all of the songs except "One Of These Days" (one of the best covers of a Neil Young song evah)! I really love "Settle Down", "Phoenicia", "Golden Rule", and "Inspiration". Watch for these guys' music to be moving up in the Americana charts" ... more
Brother Al - WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill Maine - February 2007

"To get a good idea of what Cabin Dogs are all about, just take a look at their label mates. Let’s start with the late Rick Danko and Garth Hudson of legendary group, The Band. Now, The Band conjures up a heady concoction of folk, country blues and a twist of R&B and that sums up Cabin Dogs fairly well. Thus, be prepared for a rollicking good time as the Kwait brothers and band takes you down the dusty country road where heartfelt tunes are backed by a wild beat that makes for a rustic rhythm bonanza! Cabin Dogs christened their swampy gumbo, “Cosmic American Blues,” which suggests a pleasing combination of Gram Parsons and Ray Charles. Good enough for me!" ... more
Power of Pop [blog] - January 13 2007

"While a little kid riding in the back of my mom’s brown Oldsmobile Omega, listening to the AM radio, the Band made an impression on me. As I got older and could start to remember songs and artist names, I always had this sense that I had known the Band the whole time. It’s because in the mid-70’s those AM stations were playing “The Weight,” “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” and “Up on Cripple Creek.” When the Cabin Dogs sing, “And it feels real good to be back together again,” it’s like they’re singing about being back together with my mom’s Olds, reunited with the AM radio crackling the Band. Electric Cabin is completely composed of originals (except for the closing Neil Young cover, but more on that in a moment), and yet the Cabin Dogs make you feel as if you are right back there in Big Pink again. Brothers Rich and Rob Kwait lead the band through music that is nostalgic for the Band, recalling Van Morrison, the Dead, and Neil Young, but music that also settles into today’s Jam Band groove and Country-influenced Rock swagger. When the band hits “Golden Blue,” you’re realizing that they’re tripping the light fantastic of the 70’s, dance lights spinning around on the soft soul vamp. More than just reminding me of the Band coming through the speakers of my mom’s Olds, the track is like all of AM radio in the 70’s crackling in one sensational feeling of a song—the Band’s harmonies, soul’s vibrations, dance floor invitation, Allman Brothers guitar, and a little funk bass break. The album closes with a cover of Neil Young’s “One of These Days,” which makes fine sense considering the way the Cabin Dogs have already worked on their sound to recall Young and others from the 70’s. Close harmonies, horse gait rhythm, Western skylines, and dreamy friendship moments makes it “feel real good to be back together again." ... more
Music Spectrum[blog] - January 8, 2007

"[Cabin Dogs] play the kind of cool music that warms a room in a country setting.... This is an album of superior quality.... more
Fangsum Hiss [blog] - December 2006

"Here's a band brimming with personality and the ability to put it across musically. Led by twin brothers, Rich and Rob Kwait, the rootsy music features piano, violin, organ, banjo, judicious use of wah wah pedal and accordion. It was recorded in a farmhouse newar Woodstock, NY and has the Northeast rural feel of "Music from Big Pink" all over it. Far from being a derivative bring-down, they use the breezy country rock of the 70's as their base to build songs as authentic seeming as they are simple sounding. Except for Neil Young's "One of These Days", the songs are all originals and include a takeoff on "Froggy Went-A-Courtin" which they use as an extended jam. This is one Fine Fine Superfine disc." The Big Takeover- Issue 59 - December 2006

"From this album's opening notes, when singer Rich Kwait's friendly voice comes in on "Together Again," Electric Cabin sounds like the great lost Band album, maybe nestled somewhere between Stage Fright and Cahoots. In fact, with the participation of producer/keyboard man Professor Louie (a late confidant of Rick and Levon) and violinist Larry Packer, the gentle spirit of Danko in particular hangs over this record like a fog. Of course, the Band's complex trade-off harmonies and formidable instrumental prowess is fairly useless to imitate, but nonetheless the Cabin Dogs' album hits many sweet spots here. There's plenty of Grateful Dead influence as well, but the Cabin Dogs are no jam band cliché, focusing instead sharp, open-hearted songwriting and the Band's Danko-like vocal turns. The hoedown "Cheyenne" is a highlight, a campfire song for the ages, while the R&B workout "Golden Blue" mixes things up. Best is "Phoenicia," a sorrowful, melancholy love song that traces a line from Big Pink to Breeze Hill. ”. ... more
Popculturepress.com - November 2006

"This album is just plain fun ... Electric Cabin reminds me of a kind of expiremental 70’s revival rock, like the Allman Brothers or Steely Dan. ... the soothing dual vocals of the Kwait brothers and the simple, funky rock tunes of Electric Cabin are fresh (while being reminiscent of peace-and-love songs of a bygone rock era) and extremely well done...... nine of the ten songs were written by the Kwait brothers in rustic country settings from Tennessee to Vermont and recorded in a “yellow farmhouse” near Woodstock, NY, which lends a bluesy, country flair to their classic rock foundation and makes their unique sound almost magical. Top that tall order with lyrics centered around positive messages, like love and friendship, and you’ve got yourself an excellent album anyone and everyone who likes rock, country, or blues could enjoy. Goodbye rainy days and hello Cabin Dogs; I think I’ll make it through the coming autumnal gloom”. ... more
Fun Time OK Blog - October 2006

"Think of a contemporary look at groups like The Band and you get the idea as to what Cabin Dogs are all about. Country and rock rolled into one, and delivered with sincerity and honesty that is refreshing is what makes songs such as “Together Again” flow terribly well. “Settle Down” is a mellower effort but still has a great roots-y, earthy vibe to it all the same. The brothers Kwait nail this genre perfectly with a gorgeous, downbeat and Neil Young-ish “Phoenicia” .... Fans of Blue Rodeo, Matt Mays & El Torpedo, Wilco, The Jayhawks or any other band worth their salt would love a track like “New Beginning”. .... “Cheyenne” has a great mountain or Appalachian music hue to it in the vein of Gillian Welch. And “Hobo” and a cover of Young’s “One of These Days” ends things on a high note." ... more
Pop Matters - October 2006

"Shooter Jennings meets the Allman Brothers at a showing of The Last Waltz. I’ve always loved the looseness of The Band. It’s what I like to refer to as controlled chaos. The Stones have it as well and so do the Cabin Dogs it seems. Brothers Rich and Rob Kwait are channeling Danko and Robertson from start to finish on this near perfect outing they’ve dubbed “Electric Cabin”. “Phoenicia” is this bands “Up On Cripple Creek”. A great one to check out." ... more
Ear Candy Mag August 2006

"Cabin Dogs – Electric Cabin, is a nostalgic, glorious, piece of music.... Even with all of its jam qualities [Electric Cabin] comes with a modern tinge .... Do yourself a favor and get it. No matter if you're almost near retirement, or just about to start thinking of college." ... more
Sound! Blog July 2006

"Cosmic fueled psychedelic jam rock ‘n’ roll in the vein of the Band and the Grateful Dead, “Electric Cabin” by Philadelphia’s Cabin Dogs is a mountain retreat of that past classic rock era.... extremely catchy tunes." ... more
Smother Magazine July 2006

"an instantly loveable, near-perfect sound ... I love the hell out of this record ... This one's going to make you want to drive down a country road to a lost swimming hole and enjoy summer to its fullest. For fans of The Band this is highly, highly recommended." ... more
Left Hip Magazine July 2006

"it is musical quality that is the real story behind this CD.... Lyricism and musical quality are undeniably strong on Electric Cabin." ... more
Music-Critic.ca July 2006

"Combining a cosmic cowboy vibe with early 70’s rhythms, the [Cabin Dogs] offers a rich blend of city and country." Newport Folk Festival '04

"...[Cabin Dogs] invokes memories of such legendary bands as the Buffalo Springfield, The Byrds and The Band …. Outland Disco is a recording that gets better with every listen. The song craft is first rate …. Mark down the [Cabin Dogs] in your book. If Outland Disco is any kind of an indicator, they will be around making great music for a long time to come.
An Honest Tune (The Southern Journal of Jam) Spring 2004

"BAND ON THE VERGE.... [Cabin Dogs] puts forth an enticing and polished mixture of Americana rock with blues and country accents... There's an undeniable simplicity in the music and the presentation, yet it radiates warmth and a general 'feel-good' vibe."
Relix Magazine August-September 2003

"The songs on Outland Disco play to this six-piece Philly ensemble's formidable strengths: pleading, soulful vocals, sliding guitar hooks, familiar, charming grooves. Finessed at reworking traditionals and creating worthy originals to play alongside them, this band deserves your attention. Hallelujah, they're ready."
Philadelphia City Paper 7/31/03

"...What really impresses me about this band is that they sound just as good or in my opinion better live, which is the sign of a good band." ... more
Jim Moulton, Jim's Country Reviews

"Memorable lyrics and catchy melodies characterize this band's first two albums, Hillside and Outland Disco."
WXPN 88.5 FM Philadelphia, www.xpn.org

" ...the essence of the [Cabin Dogs]: image provoking sentimental lyrics, silky rhythmic grooves, and distinct individual contributions from every member." ... more
"A New Hope for the Kwait Brothers Band", April 17, 2003
Paul McGuire for Good News!

"Outland*Disco is chock-full of lush vocal harmonies and Hammond Organ-driven backdrops that recall the Band and the Grateful Dead..."
Ithaca Journal 4/24/03

"...someone needs to put this [Outland* Disco] out. You guys would kill it in the South..."
TAXI (Independent A&R) 5/03

"Hillside is convincingly packed with that early-70s Marin County 'Cosmic Cowboy' vibe. That's no small achievement..."
Philadelphia City Paper 9/1/00

"Rob and Rich Kwait have a timeless sound that resonates from deep within the soul of the American heartland.... Their music touches a common nerve that places them firmly in the folk tradition, standard-bearers in a direct line of descent from Woody Guthrie to Jerry Garcia. The new album, Outland*Disco, takes this legacy to spirited heights in songs like "Old Line", "Outlander" and "Married Me a Wife." These boys are going places..."
Clint Harding, "The Voice of Saturday Morning"
88.1 FM KDHX St. Louis

"I'll have their two albums, "Hillside" and "Outland Disco" in the 6 disc changer of my car for a long while to come. It's great driving music... They make the music that they play sound as though it's simple to do, when in reality it's not. That's what good music should do ... They make the world seem not so big or complicated...." ... more
Preston Miller ©2003 for www.drdamned.com

"Their melodic blend of gospel, blues, rock, country and bluegrass has the rare ability to simply bring music back to the soul."
Matt Weissert, "Electric Kool-Aid" KTXT 88.1 Lubbock, TX

"A real hot band. Great musicians, great vocals and great songs."
Radio 98.6 Berlin, Germany

"[Outland*Disco is] excellent...full of interesting music...perfect for my format."
J.L. Bueno, Host of "La Otra Musica" Radio FM Cadiz, Spain

Title track 'Hillside' featured as Local Pick, WXPN 88.5 FM Philadelphia. Live performance on Gene Shay's Folk Show (11/5/00).

Outland*Disco selected as Philly Local Pick of the Week, April 5, 2002 (88.5 FM WXPN Philadelphia). 'Winds', 'Goin' Through' and 'Lovin' You Is Sweeter' were featured songs from the album. Live performance on Gene Shay's Folk Show (6/803)

A one-hour special on the KBB was aired on 98.6 FM Berlin, Germany on June 24, 2002.

The KBB has been featured in Real Philly Magazine (February 2003), Philadelphia City Paper (7/31/03), as a 'Band on the rise'.