The Dodos somehow managed to break the hipster-hype circle on records Time To Die (QRO review) and No Color (QRO review), being a San Francisco, alt-folk, guitar-and-drums duo – each a recipe for overdone blog-love – that is actually good and original. That continues with Carrier, even as they shift somewhat from their focus from rhythm to that of harmony.
Singer/guitarist Meric Long and drummer Logan Foeber began The Dodos with the novel concept of focusing on the drums, and building around from that, and that lent Time and Color strong, interesting rhythm. Meanwhile, Long was no slouch, arranging vocal and guitar harmonies to accompany. For Carrier, the harmonies go even further, really taking center stage from opener “Transformer” onward. The intricate sounds are beautiful, at the Dirty Projectors level, but without David Longstreth’s sometimes-indulgent arrhythmic beats. However, pushing the harmonies forward naturally pushes the rhythm back, and so makes Carrier feel a little less special than Color. Many of the distant pieces don’t shine as bright, whereas the rhythm to tracks such as “Destroyer” only remind of the band’s prior greatness.
Carrier is another fine record from The Dodos, one that doesn’t get lost in alt-beauty or -skill, even if not quite as original as before.
The Dodos – Destroyer
