The Dodos – 'Red and Purple' (single review)
The Dodos are Meric Long and Logan Kroeber; two men who know more than enough about the importance of rhythm and its unique ability to drive a song and simultaneously, like in Red and Purple, carry it away to somewhere deep and mystical.
Opening with clanking acoustic guitar and a repetitive drum pattern that is at once booming and tinny, the song transforms into something resembling a track off of The Annuals’ Be He Me album; both forlorn and sorrowful and yet joyous and uplifting. Dynamically it works wonders, the layers add faint touches that excite the senses; The Dodos seem to be able to engineer understatement perfectly, it doesn’t shout or scream but it definitely makes you listen. Red and Purple is a strangely affecting song and creates a lovely harmony of precision and liberation, The Dodos should be proud of their fine work and it will no doubt help them expand their fan base in the UK.
Yet although I have gushed on and on about how the astounding dynamic offerings permeate the very soul of this record, or how subtly lined the layers appear, or indeed how they contrive to appeal to the earthy nature of man, I can’t help but feel that Red and Purple isn’t that moving, sure it’s a rich tapestry of folky indie and sure it has its moments but all I can think is hasn’t this been done before? For something more harmonious why not check out Yeasayer or Grizzly Bear, at least you get that feeling that it means something more.
By Stephen Smith
Release Date: 30/6/08
Label: Wichita
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