Review: The Dodos - Time to Die (* * *)

I don’t believe there’s any expressed standard in the music industry regarding the proper amount of time between albums, but in practice, somewhere between two and three years seems the average. Certainly there are many exceptions as bands often put four or more years between releases, sometimes taking an entire decade between LPs (which is obviously more than frustrating for fans and rarely intended by the artists). Examples of groups that pull the average the other direction are less frequent though not entirely uncommon, but in my experience that can be a risky proposition as it seems to be difficult for most bands to produce their best material with less time. The point is, whenever I hear news like I did several months ago about The Dodos quick release of their new album (just over a year after their last, 2008’s excellent Visiter), I get both excited and a little apprehensive. (Continue Reading...)

The Dodos to release "Time To Die" Sep 15!

The Dodos back with a quick follow-up to last year's excellent Visiter, a nine-song record entitled Time To Die. Though the original duo of singer/guitarist Meric Long and drummer Logan Kroeber have added a new member, vibraphonist Keaton Snyder, the band have promised that the record retains their punchy, raw sound - just with a slightly different spin.

As Long puts it: “I’m glad that we were able to keep things simple on this record, because when your band gets a little popular, there’s this tendency to say things like, ‘Let’s add an orchestra on this one!” That works for some people, but it would detract from this band.”

You can read an interview that Pitchfork did with the band while they were still early in the recording process here.

I'm pumped, and as soon as I get word on a single I'll be sure to pass it along. Meanwhile, here's the tracklist:

Time To Die:
1. Small Deaths
2. Longform
3. Fables
4. The Strums
5. This Is A Business
6. Two Medicines
7. Troll Nacht
8. Acorn Factory
9. Time To Die

Top 25 of 2008 - Alphabetically (Part II)

Yesterday I covered the first five of my alphabetical list of the best albums of the year; The Black Keys, Blitzen Trapper, Bon Iver, Calexico, and Cloud Cult. Today I'm continuing with part two of my "Best of 2008" list:

Coldplay - Viva La Vida

Viva La Vida made good on Coldplay's promise of an expansive new sound with ten arena-sized anthems incorporating a variety of bells and whistles. While the album isn't revolutionary by any stretch, it's refreshing to hear a band take chances when they very well could have coasted through another album or two and retained commercial success. The band's ability to mess around with time signatures and song structures while still delivering radio-friendly, sing-a-long choruses makes for a respectable and enjoyable record.
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Conor Oberst - Conor Oberst (first names for the alphabetical list)

Ditching the Bright Eyes moniker and moving down to Mexico to record his latest album, Oberst manages to retain his songwriting edge while simplifying his alternative folk sound. It's far from a true solo effort, however, as he employs the help of "The Mystic Valley Band" to fill out his folk tunes with electric guitars, jangling piano, and backing vocals. It's a very organic and grounded album that, at times, displays something novel for Oberst; fun. From folk-rock rave-ups to the more familiar downtrodden ballads, Conor Oberst is a great singer/songwriter album.
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Delta Spirit - Ode To Sunshine

Of all the retro-rock bands to release albums this year (Dr. Dog, Cold War Kids, etc.) Delta Spirit's Ode To Sunshine is easily my favorite, I mean the best. It's a gritty, earnest rock 'n' roll record with raw guitars, stomping percussion, and pounding piano serving as the background for the socially conscious lyrics sung with flair by front-man Matt Vasquez. The band's soulful sound is catchy, exciting, and frequently uplifting, all underlined by the sincerity and effort felt throughout each and every song.
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The Dodos - Visiter

Guitar/drum duo The Dodos fit best under the label "freak folk," creating odd, offbeat tunes mainly using acoustic guitar and frantic drumming. Visiter is at times thoughtful, light-hearted, and intense, but always both strange and melodic. It's a sprawling record at 14 tracks and just under an hour of music, but the duo's ability to create many differing sounds with such a simple approach is remarkable and the album rarely seems to drag. Combining their experimental edge with pop sensibility, The Dodos easily make it into the top 25.
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Drive-By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark

With a string of great albums under their collective belt, Drive-By Truckers continue to make fantastic Southern rock even after the departure of Jason Isbell. Taking his place on vocal duties is bassist Shonna Tucker, though Mike Cooley and Patterson Hood sing the majority of the tunes between them. At 19 songs and an astounding 75 minute run-time, Brighter Than Creation's Dark is probably too long, but it's hard to argue with so much of a good thing. Ranging from blazing rockers to country-folk tunes, the songs display uniformly solid songwriting and impressive musicianship.

The year in review so far: Folk Music

I love folk music and I think it's a shame that many people's understanding of this fantastic genre starts with Jack Johnson and ends with...Jack Johnson. There's so much more out there, but it can be hard to find.

So, in order to educate my readers (it sounds much more official than, "that one guy who accidentally came across this blog"), I am going to give some short review of the folk albums that I've purchased this year. All reviews are out of five stars.

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (*****)


It's hard to describe how amazing this album is, or exactly what it's so absolutely captivating, but it has become one of my favorites for the year. It's actually just one man, Justin Vernon(?), who apparently went to his father's cabin in Wisconsin and brought some guitars along for the ride. Who knew that isolation could be such a great muse?

The music is fairly simple, generally using just guitar and vocals. Vernon's double-tracked voice, often in falsetto, is his strongest weapon, breaking every heart within range even when you can't understand what exactly he's talking about. The songs are soft and quiet, but carry an emotional weight. This is what loneliness sounds like, and it's beautiful.

Favorite Tracks: Re: Stacks, Skinny Love, Lump Sum

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes (*****)

They hail from Seattle, but you might picture the members Fleet Foxes living in a cabin in the woods, making friends with the animals and wearing homemade clothes; yearning for a time when horses were the primary mode of transportation. I'm exaggerating, but it's rare to hear music this removed from popular culture. It sounds both as old as the hills, and like nothing you've heard before. Fleet Foxes have made some serious musical magic on their debut album.

The band, while still very young (the singer/songwriter is 21) have made a remarkably mature set of songs that channel the sounds of the Beach Boys, The Byrds, and CSNY (the list is incomplete, add your own references). Somehow, while Fleet Foxes remind me of so many familiar musical styles, they sound completely unique and just plain wonderful. The songwriting here focuses mostly on nature; painting pictures of tall grasses waiving and suns rising, while the gorgeous harmonies and beautiful music bring it all to life. This is one of the best albums of the year so far.

Favorite Tracks: White Winter Hymnal, Your Protector, He Doesn't Know Why

The Dodos - Visiter (****)

The Dodos are a drum/guitar duo very much the opposite of groups like The White Stripes, and The Black Keys. The make music frequently referred to as "freak folk," which I think is a fairly accurate genre title. I purchased "Visiter" (yes, that is spelled correctly) on a bit of a whim after hearing a few songs and hoping for the best; I was not disappointed. What I got was a surprising mix of well-crafted melodies and creative execution.

"Visiter" starts with with the lovely "Walking," lulling you with gently played guitar and banjo, before jumping into a more frantically paced set of tracks with pounding drums, acoustic guitar, and eager, sometimes shouted, vocals. The songs rarely go where you expect, pulling tricks on your ears and making your head spin. The melody holds everything together, so even when things get too over-the-top, you can still enjoy the ride. If you're looking for something a little on the experimental side of the folk genre, The Dodos might just hit the spot.

Favorite Tracks: Walking, Red and Purple, Winter

Whoa, that's a long post already. I'll give some brief reviews of last three albums in a couple days.