Like many of the bands featured on this blog, ‘The Dodos’ caught my eye and captured my imagination when I saw them play at SXSW in Austin earlier this year. They featured alongside, ‘Charles Bradley’ on a strong bill for headliners, ‘The Black Angels’. This San Fran duo of, Meric Long and, Logan Kroeber were new ground for me, but I left that particular show at Cedar Street Courtyard thinking, “I definitely need to hear more” of the Dodos and I have very much committed to that. Having initially purchased their fourth album, ‘No Color’ which was only just released at the time of that show and comprised the majority of their SXSW set, I have since followed up and bought their second album, “Visiter”. Following this show in Williamsburg, there’s a fair chance that I will further add to my ‘Dodos’ backlog.
In terms of sound and comparisons, ‘The Dodos’ are extremely difficult to pin down. They are pretty unique and the live show is one to behold with the distortion, musicality and sound far more prevalent than possible to be cut for any album. Drummer, Kroeber is extremely deliberate and precise in his approach…to the point that he appears almost rigid. Nevertheless, playing a kit lacking a bass drum and oftentimes tapping on the rims of the drums and crashing the tambourine strapped to his legs, it’s an approach that works. On the other hand, Long generally relies on acoustic and semi acoustic guitars when performing live, and I am yet to see him reach for a plectrum, preferring to pick away with his fingernails. Oh, and his vocals are not too shabby either.
The show got under way with a lively start comprising great strumming from, Long and something of a Celtic beat in ‘Good’. This was a nice little reintroduction to, ‘The Dodos’ with a neat little chorus…”don’t be late”. A lot of sound emanating from two guitars, two vocals and a drum kit on this, close to ten minute long opener. Drummer, Kroeber continues to display sublime percussion in, ‘Black Night’ where he mocks the sound of the pistons of a steam engine (the steam engine was incidentally invented by Scotsman, James Watt). Lead man, Long displays a style and charisma in his delivery where he often deliberately over emphasises the end of each sentence and occasionally adopts an Elvis like lip curl. ‘Black Night’ is a winner with a fervent New York crowd (hard to come by).
Third up on the set was, ‘When Will You Go?’ with softer vocals and well earned break from the concentration of prior track for, Kroeber. This is a dreamy, pleasant track that allows the captivated audience to get their breath back. The drop is off is brief before ‘The Dodos’ take it up a notch. Not sure of the track name on this one, but it’s of the fast and furious variety and again features elevated shrills from, Long at the end of most rhymes - “we'll do it all”. ‘Dont Try And Hide It’ provides another tight, pounding beat and this deliberate and conscientious trio are very much on the same page musically...it’s just so good live – “what were you thinking running on the rooftop?”. ‘All Night’ follows with fantastic gusto by Long again inflecting the end of each sentence and rhyme in wonderful fashion.
I love the banjo style, Spanish style pick guitar riff at the beginning of, ‘Companions’. The harmony and chilling delivery is perfect for this, my favourite track from album, ‘No Colors’ – “I hold you in, you’re holding out. If I can wait, could you be mine? Companions”. ‘Winter’ from second album, ‘Visiter’ is another track with fantastic percussion and vocals – “you made me feel so foolish for the 22nd time” is something of a change in tact from the sweet track that came before. Continuing on the ‘Visiter’ trip, ‘The Season’ begins with a beautiful solo instrumental by Long. This, my first comparison in this review succeeds in mixing sounds of ‘The Jam’s’, ‘That's Entertainment’ and something from, ‘Tubular Bells’ or, ‘Pink Floyd’ . For what ‘Companions’ is on ‘No Color’, ‘The Season’ exceeds it on ‘Visiter’ with this twelve minute long live performance blowing me away…the best song in their arsenal. Another older one follows in, ‘Longform’ with some heavy distortion and scintillating strings before the band head for a well deserved break.
Encore:
As I touched on earlier, NY crowds are traditionally neither the most friendly nor animated, but they were baying for more and by this point in proceedings were singing every word and dancing every beat. The encore began with, ‘Fools’ which follows the Manchester sound of the 80’s that I enjoy and is a kind of mod/lad rock. ‘Going Under’ follows with shrills of, “Are you the curse? Are you the cure?” I have finally pinpointed front man, Long’s style of delivery as similar to that of, ‘Radiohead’ crooner, Thom Yorke.
A heavily instrumental and percussion based show comes to its conclusion with yet more nimble fingered picking from the lead in, ‘Jodi’ which is a raucous end to a brilliant show.
As a duo, Long and, Kroeger are a joy to watch and the pair are very much in tandem. Put them up, alongside Jack and Meg White, and The Black Keys, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney…they are a double act to be appreciated. The albums are solid and very enjoyable listens...perhaps in the 6.5/7 range, but this band really exude as a live act. The Dodos are a must see in the flesh. Rating – 8/10.
Set List:
- Good
- Black Night
- When Will You Go?
- not sure of title
- Don't Try and Hide it
- All Night
- Companions
- Winter
- Longform
Encore:
- Fools
- Going Under
- Jodi
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