The Dodos
Carrier
Polyvinyl
Street: 08.27
The Dodos = Fleet Foxes / Cave Singers
 
Dull vocals and repetitive drums make Carrier more like reading a book than listening to music. That’s not to say there’s no musical life on the album. Standout track “Substance” has a horn section and big drums during the cho- rus that suck me in with my head bob- bing. The ending is a smooth acoustic section that leaves me reflecting on the song’s power to captivate me. In addition to great instrumentation, the words of the chorus, “the common man wouldn’t give up his throne,” epitomize folk music’s message. There is a slight resemblance in this song to the latest album from locals Les Sages. While this speaks volumes for a local band, it most likely leaves The Dodos on the shelf in a record store. –Justin Gallegos