Innovation in the realm of indie folk is clearly not extinct. The Dodos are a duo from San Francisco comprised of Logan Kroeber and Meric Long, and their 2008 release Visiter is enthusiastically whimsical. With the album, the band has carved out their own little space in the modern musical landscape.
“Walking” begins Vister in a fairly traditional folk style, but then “Red and Purple” hits the listener with a pow. What follows is a series of songs that could be described by any number of various genre tags. How about psychedelic acoustic indie folk?
A key to the album is Kroeber’s percussion, which really allows Vister to focus and be driven forward. Much of his drumming feels “off” with regards to what Long is playing, but it really terrifically blends together. The hollow echo of his drum tone is incredibly distinct. It’s to the point where the percussion sounds are instantly recognizable as The Dodos’.
Meanwhile, Long develops his own odd and charming charisma. There is a certain endearing carelessness to his vocals. It feels like on many tracks he’s just swaying back and fourth with eyes closed in a warm spring breeze. Long also seems to approach the guitar in a different manner than most of his contemporaries. The sheer speed of some of his finger picking is borderline mindblowing.
The sound of The Dodos is expanded in large part to layering and looping of guitar and vocal lines. Yet at no point does the album feel digital or unnatural in an way. The few noticeable little production details, like the splitting of the guitar and drum channels on the intro to “Fools,” only add more depth to the duo’s texture.
While The Dodos clearly have a fair share of traditional training, the band is at its best in its momentary lapses into weirdness. They are not above screaming and musically flailing. The spontaneity of it all just leads to a fun feel throughout the album.
Vister is nothing if not unique. The Dodos’ relatively simplistic take on folk brings to mind Beirut. It’s a an invigorating new take on music that seems so familiar.
Review Score: 7.3
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