Doosu - Feng Shui

Ah, the swan song. The last effort from a band before they break up, or someone passes, is always fuel for debate and a focus of interest. In the case of Johnny Cash, it can produce a brilliant cover (“Hurt”) and serve to introduce a legend to a whole new generation, while reminding the rest of us just how great an artist he was. For others, it can serve as a meaningless release of their going out with a whimper and not a bang. The interesting part of reviewing a swan song is in not letting it affect your review. Even if American IV was horrible, would it be easy or even possible to voice that opinion in Cash’s passing? If a band is horrible and so is their farewell effort, then do you pull punches, so as not to beat a dead horse? Well, no you don’t. If you are fair, you just assume the band is still together or the artist still alive and treat it like another release. So, Doosu’s Feng Shui finds its way to my desk. Hailing from the Dallas/Fort Worth area, they have been a household name around small Texas venues for years, but have failed to garner any widespread or national success. Calling it quits this past year to pursue other interests, the band leaves us with a rock album fitting of a goodbye with a tear or two, but not too many. Opening with the somewhat repetitive but catchy instrumental “Who’s It Gonna Be?”, Feng Shui sparks some interest to listen further. Tracks like “Heel Walker”, “Four Steps” and “In And Out” kind of flow by on first listen, but slowly grow to near sing-along status. The album ending “Sonny” eloquently wraps up the effort and ends the bands career with one of their stronger and more memorable songs. On whole, the album doesn’t make you scream “genius!”, but it does makes it very clear that musical ability and song quality were not the reasons the band is no more. It is safe to say that outside of their loyal Texas following, Doosu’s disappearance and last effort won’t mount a tremendously strong response. Still, it is always sad to see a band of nice guys who love making good music go the way of the buffalo. It was nice while it lasted boys. [www.doosu.com]