Dog Trumpet is a family affair spearheaded by brothers Peter O’Doherty and Reg Mombassa, former members of iconic Aria award winning and Hall of Fame band Mental As Anything. Their contributions to the Mentals include songs such as Berserk Warriors, Egypt, Brain Brain, Apocalypso, Surf and Mull and Sex and Fun, Close Again and Psychedelic Peace Lamp. Over the last twenty years as Dog Trumpet they have released five albums: Two Heads One Brain, Suitcase, Dog Trumpet, Antisocial Tendencies and River of Flowers. 2013 they continue their sonic alchemy of psychedelic folk, country and semi-abstract blues with their sixth and best release, a double album, Medicated Spirits. Reg is well known for his idiosyncratic work for Mambo Graphics and as a fine artist. Peter is also a successful and much sought after painter. For over three decades the brothers have exhibited in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Asia. With their slide guitar and mandolin driven songbook they have graced stages in Australia and internationally entertaining audiences with their imaginative and poetic songs. Described as a perfect blend of anti-establishment politics, whimsy and offence. There music is bubbling with charm, melody and gentle wisdom. The album's title track, about not conforming in an age of creepy conformity, is a typical Chris/Reg song: part nursery rhyme, part opinion page, part Hawaiian pop tart. There are plenty more examples like it, such as the sweet story of lonely men, The Curse of the Walking Dead, the child-like but not childish Reading Comics and the pricking-kicking of egos in Lord And Lady Pumpkin, which makes me think of Andy Partridge's quasi-rustic reveries with XTC in the late '80s. Peter's songs are much more in the style of Nick Lowe or Ray Davies, gently burnished pop gems with the kind of easy flow that takes a lot of hard work and skill to pull off. Some Time walks in dappled sunshine, Once Too Often works a clever metaphor inside the dreamy melody and Bloomsbury Birds (with guest vocalist Bernie Hayes singing gorgeously and Dale Barlow trilling prettily on flute) effortlessly breaks your heart amid a country-folk amble. So many good songs. So much fun.