Here is what the critics are saying about Dot Dash: Half-Remembered Dream:

TROUBLEZINE: “A masterpiece… enthralling and hypermelodic… Lemonheads, passing through a sonic paradise wherein Teenage Fanclub and Buzzcocks meet the heroes of C86… A must!”

THE OWL: “Dot Dash is a post-punk band with the admirable quality of taking influence from indie music of all eras and bringing in into their own modern sound. The DC-based artists’ mass of collective experience (Dot Dash members have previously hailed from Julie Ocean, Youth Brigade, The Saturday People, the list goes on…) sees them putting out slick, polished, and fast songs with guitar riffs to rave about. The group’s mixed bag of musical influences has led them from the garage-punk sound of debutspark>flame>ember>ash onto that much smoother sound of sophomore Winter Garden Light, a rich lyrical album that plays like a timeline of indie guitar-rock with a shoegaze finish. On top of that, the band’s recent third album release – Half-Remembered Dream – takes on a jangly, mid-tempo vibe. Think the new-wave influence of The Jam with the snappy melodies of The Strokes and Teenage Fanclub.”

WILFULLY OBSCURE: “Three albums in two years? What is this, the 1970s? As I’ve mentioned in previous features for their Spark>Flame>Ember>Ash and Winter Garden Light albums, this D.C. quartet are not about full fledged Wire worship, as their moniker might suggest. There are vague parallels (in the vocal department) but on Half-Remembered Dream, Dot Dash downplay some of their chillier post-punk inclinations for a more streamlined guitar-pop bent — offering some of Dot Dash’s boldest melodies to date.”

SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR: “Classic punk and power pop from the days when Wire, The Records, Buzzcocks, the Jam, and others were stalking club land. This is like finding a box of previously unknown singles from the era and they’re all great. If you are a fan of this type of music, and you’re looking for new tunes, then this album needs to be in your collection. Definitely in my top 5 this year.”

12XU: “C86-influenced power pop.”

A PESSIMIST IS NEVER DISAPPOINTED: “What more can I say? These guys are great and their latest record, Half-Remembered Dream, is a thing of post-punk power-pop perfection. ‘Shopworn Excuse’ hints back to both the glory days of early R.E.M., as well as those bands on Sarah Records in the U.K.”

AUSTIN TOWN HALL: “’Half-Remembered Dream,’ is an ascendancy into pop perfection, making nods to the past, while crafting songs that stand on their own in today’s landscape… shimmering, polished guitar pop that maintains a sharp edge, all the while juxtaposing it with the incredible melodies.”

THERE GOES THE FEAR: “Washington, DC’s Dot Dash – who I caught supporting the Drums in April 2012, then Ash in November 2012 – released their third album ‘Half-Remembered Dream’ last autumn. As a special New Year’s treat, they’re giving away a track, ‘Shopworn Excuse’, from their latest album. With feel-good guitars and wistful vocals reminiscent of the ’60s, you can’t go wrong. Listen to and grab it for your very own.”

THE BIG TAKEOVER, Top 40: “The third strong album in two years from this D.C. foursome gently tweaks their American indie rethink of The Jam, Chords, Secret Affair, etc., introducing an esoteric post-punk ambiance, an undercurrent they’ve heretofore not shown. Even familiar terrain adds new points, such as the twinkling guitar overdubs of ‘Do Re Mi,’ and they really come out swinging on ‘A Light in the Distance.'”

SUPAJAM: “The idea of a post-punk pop band is strangely awesome, because who doesn’t like angular guitars deployed to maximum hooky effect? ‘Shopworn Excuse’ is from their latest LP, ‘Half Remembered Dream’, and there’s a full three albums worth of material out on The Beautiful Music for you to dig into.”

BACKSEAT MAFIA: “Slices of jangle-pop, indie rock, even shoegaze/4AD, with a splash of post-punk… from the New Order-ish indie rock of ‘(Here’s to) The Ghosts of The Past,’ through the jangly indie of ‘Bloom/Decay,’ to the post punk aggression and Buzzcocks-like guitars of ‘A Light in The Distance’, and back again via the Jam-like ‘Fiction Section’ and the chiming, harmony-laden ‘11th Hour,’ there’s not a bad song amongst them. And that’s the thing about Dot Dash. Although they’ve got one foot in the past, they also got one foot very much in the present. And it’s a foot that’s well worth taking notice of, and folllowing… We’ve had our hearts melted by Dot Dash — it’s jangling, shoegaze-like, indie rock of the most melodic and lovable kind… ‘Hands of Time’ is from third album, Half-Remembered Dream, which was rather wonderful. It chimes and shimmers, its upbeat warmth irresistible. 2012?s Winter Garden Light featured ‘La-La Land,’ a breezy, harmony laden workout with a La’s-style melody. ‘Tragedy/Destiny’ is from first album spark>flame>ember>ash and shares with the others the type of chorus that pops into your head at various points of the day.”

MUSIC RUINED MY LIFE: “It seems like the members of Dot Dash are in a race to build a mighty discography. In two years the band have released three albums, each possibly better than the one before. At this rate we can exorcise the ghost of their past bands (Youth Brigade DC, Swervedriver, Modest Proposal, Julie Ocean) and focus on the future… nothing on “Half-Remembered Dream” seems like nostalgia-mongering. The songs range from the pretty, ringing “(Here’s to) The Ghosts of the Past” to absolute rippers like “A Light in the Distance”. There’s a fiery sense of mission on each of the ten tracks that the band spits out in 29:00 minutes.”

PENNYBLACK MUSIC: “‘Half-Remembered Dream’ is Dot Dash’s third album in two years, and was recorded in Baltimore. The band have shared bills with Ash, the Monochrome Set, and the Bats. (‘Here’s to) the Ghosts of the Past’ sounds like a new wave anthem, but has more jangle and definitely more spirit. ‘Bloom/Decay’ is like an instantly catchy power pop number of the 80s, and will put a stupid grin on your face. ‘11th Hour’ is almost like an early Beatles number, and easy to mop top your hair too. ‘Do Re Mi’ is fast and furious and fun — a pogoing anthem, ‘Broken Halo’ has a jagged edge. ‘Shopworn Excuse’ has perfect rhythms of street poetry, and is a smashing crowd pleaser. ‘Fiction Section’ is a classic new wave number, worthy of a ‘Top of the Pops’ appearance back in the day. ‘A Light in the Distance’ is punk fun, like the early Damned and reminiscent of ‘New Rose.’”

THE SOUND OUT, Top 10 Albums of 2013: Dot Dash – Half-Remembered Dream — “Dot Dash has been consistently releasing great stuff for the last few years. If you’re a fan of fast, polished, pleasing ’60s inspired rock ‘n’ roll with an ’80s indie-pop slant to it, then Dot Dash have a whole back catalogue of stuff just awaiting your listening pleasure – this is another fine addition to their canon.”

POWERPOPAHOLIC: “Dot Dash are really on the cusp of greatness – their third album Half-Remembered Dream is a gem.”

WILD THING: “Dot Dash has released three albums in less than two years, on Canadian label The Beautiful Music. In summer 2011 the band released their first full-length, ‘Spark>Flame> Ember>Ash.’ Second album ‘Winter Garden Light’ was released in 2012 and in August they released ‘Half-Remembered Dream,’ their sound edging more and more toward polished indie pop with each release.”

FAMEMAG UK: “‘Half-Remembered Dream,’ recorded in Baltimore at Lord Baltimore Studios… relentless intense melodic pop — energetic, melancholy and punky… Splendid.”

BEAT SURRENDER: “DC’s Dot Dash have a new album out, — the band’s third release ‘Half Remembered Dream’ is a classy and superior collection of melodic pop – the line-up features ex-members of Julie Ocean, The Saturday People, Swervedriver and Youth Brigade in a classic four-piece line-up.”

DIFFUSER.FM: “Power-pop-meets-post-punk… Dot Dash is back with their third album, ‘Half-Remembered Dream,’ which follows 2011’s ‘Spark>Flame>Ember>Ash’ and 2012’s ‘Winter Garden Light’ via Canadian label The Beautiful Music. ‘Bloom/Decay’ — an up-tempo, super-addictive tune that makes us think nostalgia isn’t necessarily all that bad.”

DC ROCK LIVE: “Veterans of classic DC bands and beyond… ‘(Here’s to) The Ghosts of the Past’ – The opening cut has tremendous sound and a great hook with a lyric that hits home for this old punk rocker. ‘Bloom-Decay’ – The power pop guitar sound almost goes shoegaze toward the end, with a nice steady build. ‘A Light in the Distance’ – Great guitar sounds on top of a driving beat, they really channel Wire here.”

USA TODAY: “I’m loving this jangly piece of heaven.”

MUSIC MURMUR: “’Shopworn Excuse’ off 2013’s Half-Remembered Dream couples the coolheaded magnetism of pop with the nonconformist characteristics of punk to create a song that’s as catchy as it is substantial. A pleasing reverberation of jangly guitar, affable bass and drums, with a hook that’s ineradicable and lyrics that secure position in your memory, the appeal of Dot Dash manifests itself clearly.”

AUDIO AMMUNITION: “With their third album, Washington DC’s Dot Dash graciously offers us a set of beautifully constructed 80’s post-punk-style dark and delicate songs — a highly enjoyable collection radiating melody and melancholy.”

SELECTIVE MEMORY: “’Half-Remembered Dream’ is Dot Dash’s third release and a testament to excellence. Each song is solid gold. It feels good like having the top down on a warm day. These are three minute gems with an album that is over with way too soon. But it’s forgivable when every song on here is worth re-visiting over and over again.”

FOR MALCONTENTS ONLY: “With a sonic palette that straddles power-pop, post-punk and indie rock, ‘Half Remembered Dream’ was one of my favourite albums of 2013, an impressively lean collection of ten immaculately crafted nuggets that seldom nudge past the three minute mark — rich with hooks, punchy riffs, bristling basslines and plaintive melodies.”

THE SOUND OF CONFUSION: “Dot Dash released one of the albums of the year in 2013 with ‘Half-Remembered Dream’ — insanely catchy guitar-pop.”

JAM: “3rd release from outstanding power pop/shoegaze/indie pop/ dream pop band Dot Dash encapsulates the great sounds of 90’s shoegaze mixed into a sweet jangle sound echoing Power of Dreams, Ride, Oasis, Swervedriver, and Teenage Fanclub. Thebeauty is that Dot Dash retains their own honest and endearing style, so their music is fresh, vibrant, and moving. Cool vocals amid a sublime wall of guitar, bass, drums, infuse into something extraordinary. GRADE A.”

RUST ZINE: “Half-Remembered Dream is a totally fresh album — like a time trip to when indie rock sounded different and important. There’s nothing like the excitement of hearing a band breaking out and making a memorable, unique statement in any era but Dot Dash brings back memories of when doing so was significant. Every track is a winner — an album with energy, intelligence and intensity. Very Highly Recommended.”

THE SOUND OUT: “A year on from Winter Garden Light, Dot Dash return with a new album, just as well delivered, melodic and lyrically intelligent as we have come to know them. On Half-Remembered Dream, they pay homage to the new-wave of bandsthat inspired them like The Jam, circa All Mod Cons and Wire, while putting their own twist on snappy guitar pop such as Teenage Fanclub, The Buzzcocks and The Strokes, among others… a short, sharp number that gets straight to the point and has you hopping around like an excited teenager who has just stuck on the new 45 they’ve spent weeks waiting for to come out – you remember that feeling don’t you?”

RETRO: “My favourite of the three Dot Dash albums I would thoroughly recommend it for lovers of intelligent, melodic, emotional guitar music. They have echoes of that wonderful late seventies/early eighties period of The Cure, Psychedelic Furs and Wire but mixed up with the beautifully textured and intricate guitar work of early R.E.M., Dream Syndicate and Long Ryders.”

WHAT GOES ON: “Dot Dash have been busy working on a quick follow-up to last year’s Winter Garden Light and released their third album, titled Half-Remembered Dream, again on The Beautiful Music. The ten-track effort kicks up a more energetic set (particularly ‘A Light In The Distance’), but thankfully doesn’t leave behind the melodic jangle-pop of the previous two efforts – especially the album’s highlight in the airy ‘Hands Of Time.'”

FUZZY HEADPHONES: “Summer is coming to a close and for the third year in a row, in what’s fast become a September tradition for the band, Washington D.C.’s Dot Dash return with yet another record. There’s still plenty of the carefree, pop-punk vibe of Ash, but on Half-Remembered Dream they introduce anthemic ballad writing and combine it with the punchy melodies of Teenage Fanclub they’re so adept at.”