The Dodos Aren't Extinct

Last year Pitchfork raved about a group called The Dodos, saying their album titled Visiter was one of the best albums of the year. Although I don't agree with the way Pitchfork hypes some really terrible bands, I usually check out their "Best New Music" section. I was so impressed with Visiter that I listened to it over and over again last summer. The tracks all ran together so smoothly that I felt I was listening to an entire story rather than individual songs.

The Dodos have returned with a new album titled Time To Die, which actually isn't due out until August 31, but because of how the music world works today, the album has already leaked. While there are some definite differences between Visiter and Time To Die, the new album is just as strong as the last, with Meric Long's soothing voice along with airy percussion driving the songs. While the album doesn't flow as smoothly and perfectly as the last, every song is filled with intricate guitar picking and well written, unique percussion arrangements. After listening to this album, I'm sure pitchfork will be raving about The Dodos again within the next few months.

If you want to find the leak I suggest you look here. In the meantime, check out Fools from The Dodo's previous album.

More Vocoder Please.

There's a certain sense of mysteriousness that surrounds the Pennsylvania based Black Moth Super Rainbow. Maybe it's the fact that it's very rare to find a photo of the group where each member is clearly depicted. Perhaps it's due to no one really knowing what Tobacco's voice sounds like without a vocoder. Finally, maybe it's because no one knows the real names of the band members. Without a doubt, Black Moth Super Rainbow is one of the strangest musical groups around today. However, their abnormality does not hinder them from creating magical sounds.

The groups latest effort, Eating Us has received some mixed reviews. Some love the album, complimenting the bands progression with song writing, while others say they are growing tired of the vocoder's use as the staple component of the band's compositions. Personally, I think Eating Us is a step in the right direction for the group, a perfect illustration of how Black Moth Super Rainbow has progressed over the past four albums.

While listening to the album, it's apparent that the band decided to vary their instrumentation, including guitar and banjo rather than only utilizing the traditional synths. Along with the instrumentation, the band has also progressed with their songwriting, touching on what seem to be more serious issues.

While some may be growing tired of the constant use of the vocoder, I think Eating Us will be considered one of the best releases of 2009 based on the band's ability to balance their original sound with the new.

Listen to Black Moth Super Rainbow here:

http://www.myspace.com/blackmothsuperrainbow