Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on November 24, 2025
In 2024, as Pavlov’s Dog celebrated the release of their expansive retrospective Essential Recordings 1974–2018, the band was already quietly shaping their next chapter. That new chapter has now arrived: Wonderlust, out on Ruf Records — a full half-century after Pampered Menial and its breakout single “Julia” briefly made the band unlikely darlings of the 1970s progressive rock wave.
Where many legacy acts lean on nostalgia, Pavlov’s Dog has done the opposite. Wonderlust is vibrant, adventurous, and deeply musical — a record built on thoughtful songwriting, striking arrangements, and the emotional drama that has always defined the group’s sound. This is not a victory lap; it’s a renewal.
A Band With Unfinished Business
Pavlov’s Dog originally formed in St. Louis in the early 1970s, carving out a cult following with their distinctive fusion of rock, classical, and folk textures — and, of course, David Surkamp’s unmistakable vocal style. Their early moment in the spotlight was short-lived; by 1977 the original lineup had dissolved, even as their reputation continued to quietly grow.
Surkamp revived the group’s spirit with Doug Rayburn in 1990’s Lost in America, but the real second act — the strongest and most cohesive era of the band — began well after the turn of the millennium. The modern lineup has now surpassed the original band in longevity, musicianship, and global reach. Singer Sara Surkamp, violinist Abbie Steiling, bassist Rick Steiling, and keyboardist Mark Maher have formed the nucleus of Pavlov’s Dog for the past seven years, a lineup that tours steadily and continues expanding the band’s legacy to new audiences around the world. Their long-awaited Australian debut arrives this October in support of Wonderlust.
Inside Wonderlust: Emotion, Elegance & Rock ’n’ Roll Drive
The eleven-track album showcases a band firing on all creative cylinders:
“Anyway There’s Snow”
A powerful opener with Abbie Steiling’s violin front and center, setting a cinematic, emotional tone for the record.
“Another Blood Moon”
One of Surkamp’s most gripping vocal performances, floating above lush, hypnotic strings that capture the band’s signature melancholy.
“Mona” & “Collingwood Hotel”
Lean, energized rock songs that underline that, for all their elegance and orchestration, Pavlov’s Dog is still fundamentally a rock band.
“Jet Black Cadillac”
A wistful slow-burn that erupts into a soaring, feel-good chorus — the kind of melodic lift fans have cherished for decades.
“Solid Water, Liquid Sky”
Playfully imaginative, full of charm and lyrical sideways grins.
“Can’t Stop The Hurt”
Propulsive, riff-driven rock with a tight rhythmic backbone and a vocal delivery full of grit and heart.
“Calling Sigfried”
An instrumental tribute by Abbie Steiling honoring original violinist Sigfried Carver, bridging the band’s early years with its present spirit.
“Canadian Rain”
A sweeping, emotional epic co-written by Surkamp and the late founding member Douglas Rayburn — one of the album’s most triumphant moments.
Throughout the record, the playing is superb: Steve Bunck’s drums are disciplined but expressive; Phil Ring adds guitar textures that range from delicate to muscular; Steiling’s violin work is a constant high point, carrying the emotional arc of the album as often as the vocals themselves.
A Legacy Renewed
Wonderlust feels both familiar and fresh — exactly the blend longtime fans hoped for. It brings the band’s dramatic sensibility into sharp modern focus, honoring their past while proving that Pavlov’s Dog remains an inspired creative force.
Or, as one European critic put it in a line worth keeping: “A can’t-miss long player.”
Five decades after their beginning, Pavlov’s Dog continues to evolve, explore, and surprise. With Wonderlust, the band offers not just a new album, but a renewed vision — a reminder that some legacies are still being written.
