by Roie Avin
During the summer of 1996, I was traveling across Europe, visiting different countries at a time before the internet and cell phones were part of everyday life. One of the things I enjoyed most was tuning into local radio stations on my Walkman to discover new music. There was one song that kept coming up, and while I didn’t know the artist or the title, the chorus — “if it’s good enough for you, it’s good enough for me” — stuck with me.
A few weeks later, in a record store, I asked about the song, and was pointed toward Free Peace Sweet by Dodgy, which featured the hit “Good Enough.” I had never heard of the band, but I took a chance on the album. When I got back home to the U.S. and spent more time with it, I quickly became a fan — and have remained one for nearly 30 years.
For those unfamiliar, Dodgy were part of the mid-90s UK scene alongside bands like Oasis and Blur. What set them apart was their strong melodic sensibility and clear influences from artists like The Beatles, ELO, Jellyfish, and even The Who, giving their sound a feel rooted in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Their music leaned heavily on rich harmonies, layered arrangements, and a willingness to stretch beyond straightforward Britpop. Despite their success, the band split during their peak when main songwriter Nigel Clark departed for a solo career. The original lineup of Clark, Mathew Priest, and Andy Miller reunited in the 2010s and released new albums in 2012 and 2016.
Now, ten years later, Dodgy return with Hello Beautiful. Having spent time with the album since its release, it’s surprising how strong it is — easily standing alongside their best work from the mid-90s. While this isn’t a progressive rock album in the traditional sense — it doesn’t resemble Yes, Genesis, or Dream Theater — it fits comfortably within the broader scope of artists we cover who value songwriting craft, experimentation, and strong production. If you appreciate bands like Jellyfish, ELO, or Supertramp, there is plenty here to connect with.
Hello Beautiful features loads of strings, guitars, horns, and harmonies throughout 9 primarily acoustic-based tracks, with each one offering something unexpected. “The Likes of You and Me” starts simply before building into a surprisingly heavy and expansive second half. “Call It What You Want” begins as a Beatles-esque acoustic piece, reminiscent of the White Album era, before shifting into something entirely different midway through, almost leaning into an R&B style groove.
“Summer Forever” delivers exactly what the title suggests — a bright, melodic pop song full of bounce and layered harmonies, again with plenty of keys and horns. There is no way to hear this track and not smile. Tracks like “Looking Back” and “Out of Time” lean more into an alternative sound, with prominent guitars and subtle twists in arrangement that keep things interesting. “Beside Me” stands out as a lush ballad, with orchestration and melody that feel very much in line with ELO’s style.
The album closes with “Fall Into Me,” which, while not technically complex, has a sense of progression and sophistication in its structure and build. It delivers an expansive, satisfying ending. The simplest track may be the opener, “Hello Beautiful,” but even there, the strength of the songwriting carries it, and it does serve as a worthy first single.
For listeners who may not typically gravitate toward this style, this is one of those albums that rewards an open mind. It may not be “prog,” but it embodies many of the qualities — creativity, strong arrangements, and melodies — that any prog fan might enjoy.
If you’re new to Dodgy, Hello Beautiful is a great entry point. From there, their 90s run — particularly Homegrown (1994) and Free Peace Sweet (1996) — remains well worth exploring.
01 Hello Beautiful
02 The Likes Of You And Me
03 It’s Not The End
04 Call It What You Want
05 Summer Forever
06 Looking Back
07 Beside Me
08 Out Of Time
09 Fall In To Me
