I, for one, can’t get enough of Dr. Dog’s homespun, classic rock sound. I know they get a bum rap in some circles, but their last few albums have been airtight, their live show is one of the most fun around and I am loving the first song from their upcoming LP, Shame Shame. The excellent track “Shadow People” features the bouncing bass lines, retro vocals harmonies and the jangly keys that make the band so good. If this song doesn’t do it for you, I think it is safe to say Dr. Dog just aren’t a band for you. The band will be returning to the Twin Cities for a show April 17th at the Fine Line Music Cafe.
A modern masterpiece.(Features)
Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales) November 26, 2010 Byline: MIKE TORPEY BOLDNESS and daring may not always have been words associated with Jaguar’s flagship model the XJ – but things haven’t half changed. here bowers and wilkins
The big cat’s design director, Ian Callum, has never been afraid to push barriers to their outer limits and, like the XF sports saloon before it, the new XJ is a stunning piece of automotive styling.
Imagine a black panther ready to pounce on its prey and you have the elegant, fluid lines of this luxury motor car, by some distance the most visually stunning XJ yet.
Jaguar’s philosophy remains one of creating beautiful fast cars, but it’s one thing building a model that looks sporty and sophisticated, quite another maintaining the levels of space and practicality expected by premium buyers.
Not only does the XJ deliver on space, it’s also a car that’s a delight to drive and easy to live with.
The all-aluminium body is 11% stiffer than its predecessor and extremely light, making it both agile and economical.
Sensible folk go for the 3.0-litre V6 diesel, an engine already proven in the XF, which offers some serious punch yet can return 40mpg and CO2 emissions of 184g/km – making it tax efficient for business users.
As a driver’s car the XJ is a joy – the six-speed automatic transmission is operated via a simple rotary selector and the passengers can lap up a magic carpet ride as the Jag slips smoothly through the gears. web site bowers and wilkins
Switch from Normal to Sport and engage Dynamic mode and the suspension firms up while the steering and throttle responses are sharpened, making for a far sportier experience.
What’s also endearing about the XJ is that for all its flair and cutting-edge style it retains a Britishness you don’t get with the Jaguar’s principal rivals, like German trio the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class.
Sophistication is also the name of the game here. There’s state-of-the-art equipment on every car, from soft leather upholstery and veneers to contrasting piano black and chrome highlights.
And while upgraded Portfolio trim costs appreciably more than the standard Luxury trim, it does include some amazing kit.
Best bit is the Dual-View function that allows the driver and front seat passenger to see different images on the same central 8-inch screen.
In other words the passenger can be watching television or a DVD while, in the interests of safety, all the driver can see is the sat-nav map.
There’s also a whopping 1,200 watt, 20-speaker Bowers and Wilkins sound system that brought me flashbacks of standing next to the stage at a Who concert.
I don’t think it’s too picky to say that while rear comfort is fabulous, things can be awkward for a centre passenger, whose position is perched and legs have to straddle the wide transmission tunnel. And the boot, while long and accommodating, has a lobster-pot-type entrance.
What’s certain though is that there’s nothing staid or stuffy about the latest big cat. Jaguar has shown it is on a roll courtesy of the XF and XK models – the latest XJ is a modern masterpiece.
CAPTION(S):
Not only does the Jaguar XJ 3.0D Portfolio SWB deliver on space, it’s also a car that’s a delight to drive and easy to live with. And its all-aluminium body makes it both agile and economical
