This is an album that slipped past me when it was released, I gave it a quick listen, decided it was too similar to their previous work, and that was it. Somewhere along the line, I happened upon it again, and it’s been a struggle to stop listening to it.

I’ve no idea why the Dodos are not massive. I generally like music that others would consider difficult or self absorbed or some other turn of phrase that means it’s slightly more demanding than popular music. I’m not sure the Dodos are that, I think they’re just a banging rock and roll band. Their music never lets up and it pumped on through a tremendous drum sound. The guitar lines are simple, brash and a little nasty and the vocals of lead man Meric Long lilt and waft along.

The band are a two piece, but were briefly had a third member, as Christopher Reimer was a member of the band before his death at the age of 26 due to the complications related to a heart defect. It’s hard to listen to this album and not wonder what affect this death had on the band, the second last track is called ‘death’ after all with the refrain “If I took your place, would it hurt”. There are songs that are more sedate than on their previous albums, but it is impossible to say if this is related. The use of almost exclusively electric guitar does differentiate it from Visiter (possibly their finest album), but otherwise it is what the Dodos do best, a lovely combination of drums and guitar, that demands your attention.

If you like what you hear below, I’d recommend you check it out.