Dogstar's latest indie album, "Somewhere Between The Power Lines and Palm Trees,” is a dip back to late 90’s and early aughts alt-rock and more.

Dogstar is the biggest band that you don’t know of. The trio—with lead vocalist and guitarist Bret Domrose, drummer Rob Mailhouse, and bassist Keanu Reeves—are probably known more for their Matrix-busting bassist than what music they play. At least before, back when the band was first starting. But they’ve since earned their stripes as a legit alternative trio even before calling it quits in the early 2k. Fast forward to October 2023, when and where they released their all-new original 12-song set.

Starting with “Blonde,” where Bret Domrose’s vocals transport us to 90’s rock era territory as he sings, “whisper in my ear, take away all my fear / lay here through the night, drink with me until it’s light.” Domrose presses on, intoning, “You move across the floor, away toward the door (and) crashing back to me with a kiss.” While his lyrics plead, the rhythm under it is propelled by an uncomplicated yet effective rock trio arrangement.

Now, that’s where Dogstar thrives.

"How The Story Ends" is driven by a prominent Keanu Reeves bassline. The lyrics reflect on enduring relationships as Domrose, Rob Mailhouse, and Reeves deftly fill the sonic spaces tastefully. Sure, there are overdubs, but you know, not to the point where it can be recreated by 3 people on stage.  Also, with its depth and resonance, Keanu's bass tone rocks!

"Everything Turns Around" boasts a catchy pop chorus, exuding alt-pop flavors reminiscent of the '90s. Dogstar may not intend to be a nostalgia act, but their new music does feel like a seamless extension of their earlier work. Proof is "Overhang" with its R.E.M.-tinged atmospherics transporting us back with its charm.

Dogstar’s "Dilon Street" channels the spirit of "Mr. Tambourine Man" with a jangly, acoustic flair and a harmonica solo to add an extra layer of depth. In "Lily," the band displays its distinctive interplay. The rhythm is it for Dogstar as it creates captivating sonic landscapes for themselves, anchored on Domrose’s musical musings as Mailhouse and Reeves provide a solid foundation for Domrose's rhythm-lead switching guitars to weave in and out of.

As the album progresses, "Lust" introduces new textures, challenging listeners with its intriguing blend of new wave influences mixed with Middle East vibes and sitar effects. Meanwhile, "Glimmer" slows the pace, delivering a prom-inspired track that exudes nostalgia and longing.

"Sunrise" brings the pace back up, almost pop-rock, highlighting Keanu Reeves' surprising skills as a bass player. "Upside" is an optimistic head-bobber with a sunny disposition as the mid-tempo power ballad "Sleep," a mid-tempo power ballad. This further proves that Dogstar is not a 90’s nostalgia act. In the recent single "Breach,"  Dogstar demonstrates its core as a rock band. That’s what they aimed to be at the start anyway: to rock out heavy is what brought Domrose, Mailhouse, and Reeves as a band.

Which is to say that Dogstar’s rock trio game is strong and evident. I recently saw a performance clip of Dogstar playing their (old) song “Math” in Japan, and the band sounds solid live. And while the shooter (the one holding the phone camera) likes to linger on Keanu (who wouldn’t), I saw enough of Mailhouse and Domrose to surmise their interplay and sound is amazing.    

Bret Domrose, Rob Mailhouse, and Reeves (ages 54, 61, and 58, respectively), sounds like a formidable band at this point and not at all in it for nostalgia.