With Fate, their fifth full-length (and third for Park the Van Records), Philadelphia psych-rockers Dr. Dog present a tidier version of the melodic, harmony-focused cuts that first drew critics to their 2005 breakthrough LP Easy Beat. At the time, they managed to parlay that attention into opening slots for entrenched favourites like My Morning Jacket and buzz bands like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, but they somehow remained in limbo. Enjoyed by fans but dismissed by the oligarchy of taste-making blogs, Dr. Dog seemed doomed to obscurity.

Fortunately, they persisted. Their latest boasts tighter production than ever and a carefully written collection of soulful pop tunes. Though it starts strongly enough, Fate picks up steam about halfway through with “The Ark.” Comparisons to late-period Beatles ring truer than ever. Brilliant riffs that would’ve sounded perfectly at home on Abbey Road and a vocal style that apes the angry Paul of “Helter Skelter” persist through an excellent sequence of tracks, finishing off with the epic flourish of “My Friend.” Dr. Dog may never attain the heights of their inspirational predecessors, but they certainly stand out above the current flock of imitators.