The great blog *Wilfully Obscure* published a review of *d.smith*’s _groping for luna, vol. 1_. Check it out:

Remember the band *Shirk Circus*? Yeah, I had a hunch you probably didn’t, but you can catch up on them via a feature I wrote in 2011, in memoriam of front-man Josh Silverman. Smith played bass for them, and from what I understand, _Groping for Luna, Vol. 1_ is his solo debut.

Alternating between muscular melodic rock and quieter reflective pieces, _Groping…_ is chockablock with sixteen pensive and considered numbers that tend to err on the side of melancholy. Comparisons to Bob Mould are inevitable, but if you’re anything like me you might also hear traces of likeminded singer songwriters including but not limited to Jon Sondgrass (Armchair Martian, Drag the River) and Mark Eitzel. Despite his weariness at times, Smith manages to brew up a howling, manicured maelstrom on some of _Groping’s_ most assertive slammers, nicely exemplified on “Worst Case Secnario,” and “An Ultimatum.”

_Chockablock_ is such a great word to use in a review, and I’m pretty sure that’s a word I’ve never seen in a review before.

You can check out *Wilfully Obscure* and download two free d.smith tracks for a limited time “here”:http://wilfullyobscure.blogspot.com/2014/11/graig-markel-and-88th-st-band-st-in.html

Our pals at *The Big Takeover* are now running an exclusive stream of the new *d.smith* album _groping for luna, vol. 1_.

Visit their “website”:http://bigtakeover.com/news/exclusive-album-premiere-groping-for-luna-vol-1-by-d-smith and give a listen to the new album (and read some dromedary news we’ll elaborate on later).

The long-awaited new album from *d.smith*, _groping for luna, vol. 1_, is now available for preorder.

Visit “our store”:https://dromedaryrecords.bandcamp.com/album/groping-for-luna-vol-1 to place your order. Meanwhile, check out the new very powerful, very NSFW, not for the squeamish video for the powerful new single “2×4”.

Check out the video for “Worst Case Scenario,” the first single from the upcoming d.smith album _Groping for Luna, vol. 1_

We couldn’t be more excited to announce the signing of singer/songwriter/misanthrope d.smith. Formerly of Shirk Circus and The 65’s, smith is one of the greatest songwriters we know, his intensely personal and dark lyrics contrasting with his incredible pop sensibilities to create some truly fantastic music. We’ve been aware of his proficiency as a bassist since the earliest Shirk Circus records, but it was only after hearing the tracks “Greatest Pretense” and “Wherever You Are” from the 65’s LP _Strike Hard!_ that we learned of his songwriting brilliance.

In a few weeks we will be releasing “Worst Case Scenario,” the debut single from his forthcoming Dromedary CD _Groping For Luna, Vol. 1_. We’ll have a video for the track and the single will be available for free download.

Until then, smith and his collaborator, drummer Bobby Diamond, have given us a taste of their brilliance – and their influences – with this phenomenal cover of the Husker Du track “Flip Your Wig.”

Stream it here for free, and point your browser here for updates on the forthcoming d.smith album, which should provide the soundtrack for your summer.

We’re thrilled to announce the impending release of the *long*-awaited full length digital LP from the great *DAVID RAT*, _The United Hates_.

In the year or so since we released the digital single “Dancing With The Star-ving,” Rat has continued on his journey to becoming a counterculture icon, his book _Happy Ending_ continuing to garner rave reviews and his regular column in _Punk Globe_ consistently the magazine’s most widely read. His seminal no wave band *Rat At Rat R* reissued the 1985 album _Amer$ide/Rock & Roll is Dead, Long Live Rat at Rat R_ in late 2012 to much critical acclaim. An American expatriate living in Brazil, Rat continues to inspire as a teacher, artist, poet, author and musician.

For us, David Rat represents a window into the very birth of the music we love; the early 1980s Lower East Side scene that spawned the likes of Sonic Youth and Swans helped create venues for young indie bands to play and evolve. So many of our influences – and so many of our friends – benefited from the groundwork laid by Rat At Rat R and their ilk, meeting David, to me, was like meeting Joey Ramone or Joe Strummer. Providing David with a venue to turn his poetry into music is a pleasure; that he has been able to move to Brazil and tap into an outstanding group of musicians in Latin America is a testament to the breadth of his influence and his ability to bring like-minded people together.

_The United Hates_ touches on many topics: Rat’s struggle with addiction and recovery, his estrangement from his young son, his love of animals, relationships he forged as a young rock and roller in New York’s East Village, his Buddhist philosophies and staunch antiwar/anti corporate greed stances all take center stage, each idea battling the others for prominence throughout the record. The record’s ten songs are dense with poetry and prose, backed by the sweetness and noise of a talented group of musicians. Each track is awash with tension and noise, interrupted by sweetness and melody, Rat’s (usually) soft-spoken voice quietly speaking at the forefront, a white dove gliding above a war-torn city.

In 20+ years of releasing music, this is our first “serious” album, the first one we’ve released that demands you sit down and spend time with it. The tracks don’t ease into your mind like a typical Dromedary pop song; they pound you until you pay attention and then they hold you rapt.

_The United Hates_ will be out digitally on July 1. Until then, you can preorder the album from our store, and listen to the single “This Is Fucking Why,” which is streaming for free everywhere. And here.