The Dodos 'Time To Die'

One of the unexpected delights of 2008 was The Dodos' 'Visiter' LP. Singer/guitarist Meric Long and drummer Logan Kroeber, crafted a vibrant and fresh sound that made excellent use of space, focusing on bouncy, upbeat numbers with occasional sparse, thoughtful ballads. The single 'Fools' was instantly catchy and memorable.

The follow-up has arrived quickly and was heralded by an reasonably good promotion, sell-out shows and consumer-friendly ideas such as streaming the album well in advance of its release. The only way was up, unfortunately the music is a massive disappointment.

Whereas 'Visiter' was a restless, jittery child, moving from one style to another with 60s strumming and heady drum rhythms, 'Time To Die' is a dense, humourless creation. The big problem is the sound, there is no variation, less acoustic guitar and a fuller, more consistent sound that doesn't suit the band. The songs are too long, usually stretching out over five or six minutes, sometimes devoid of melody, sounding tired and leaden.

There are but two exceptions. 'Small Deaths' combines acoustic and electric guitars to good effect and is catchy and easy on the ear, while 'Fables' is this album's 'Fools', light and summery, it floats around your ears.

Otherwise, this album is hard work and offers little reward for the effort it demands. It is an uninviting, occasionally tedious record and a massive disappointment.

4.6

['Time To Die' is out now on Wichita]