Cute is not what they aim for, according to the band’s bio. Sadly, Baby Calendar are cute with their chirpy little pop melodies and whispery boy/girl vocals. When this lot get it right, like they do on ‘Lunchbox’, they’re nothing short of majestic, all lo-fi indie-rock goodness. But for the most part ‘Gingerbread Dog’ is boring and a little too doe-eyed for my liking. Too many songs just chug along in the same fashion, and while the boy/girl vocals trade softly-softly in fine fashion, everything that goes on around them just plods. It’s clear the band have talent in abundance, but for some reason it just isn’t here consistently over the course of 11 songs. By the album’s end I’ve had enough – ‘Gingerbread Dog’s’ bite is certainly worse than its bark; one mouthful and you’re feeling a little too queasy.
