The Dodos-Visiter

A few prerequisites before naming your band “The Dodos”:
1. More than 50% of the band should be relatively good looking in an effort to avoid too close of a connection between the band name and the band members
2. Your music should be pretty good so as to avoid the label of a “joke band.” (Note: Most bands should strive to meet this prerequisite, though not all of them do.)
3. You should not take yourself too seriously. I mean…you call yourself The Dodos.
4. I should hope that you really love animals. And not just extinct ones.

Having met these requirements, these two boys from San Francisco (The Dodos!) create a perfect blend of light-hearted music, substantial lyrics, and anthemic drive. Tasteful irony is alive and well in the music world.

The second album from this Californian duo showcases both members’ utter finesse and mastery of their instruments in addition to sophisticated song writing. Meric Long (guitar/vocals) and Logan Kroeber (percussion) create a variety of melodies, fleeting tempo and meter changes, and experimental-folk gems on this record. I say “experimental-folk” because the complexity of the tracks on this album strays far from the traditional progressions usually associated with folk music.

The instrumentation, although simplistic, sounds full on the recording, and the absence of fluttering guitar effects and digital manipulation comes as a welcomed surprise. Not to mention, the clean recording shows off Long’s ability as a guitarist as well as Kroeber’s solid drumming abilities. Unlike some other drummers, Kroeber brings the percussion to the spotlight in many of the songs so as to have the drums play an active role rather than just provide a back beat. His driving, tribal beating of the toms perfectly complements the agility of Meric’s fingers against the steel strings. Long switches off between break-neck riffs of finger picking in untraditional tunings and frantic strumming in almost every song…sometimes, within a few measures of each other. However, while the instrumentalists are brimming with talent and sophistication, the songs remain light-hearted in feel; the lyrics, on the other hand, are gripping in subject and execution. Epic tracks such as “Joe’s Waltz” engage listeners in interesting stories complemented by driving tom-hits, tambourine beats, and finger-picked guitar goodness.

In short, “Visiter” is a solid, sophomore release by this imaginative musical duo. Have yourself a listen.

Or, you know…don’t (against your better judgment).