The Dodos - 'Time To Die' (Wichita) Released 31/08/09

The Dodos return with 'Time To Die', their third release and the follow up to last year's justifiably acclaimed 'Visiter'. Produced by Phil Ek (Fleet Foxes, The Shins), 'Time To Die' bears The Dodos' wildly percussive blueprint from Logan Kroeber, and the Fahey-flavoured acoustic guitar frontman, Meric Long. The San Franciscan duo have made one additional change to the creative core with 21-year-old music school dropout and vibraphone player, Keaton Snyder, who plays for his lunch.

As Long explains - "We wanted to make a rock record. Being an acoustic band works against this idea, but Phil's production showcased that side of our band. The vibraphone is pretty crazy and loud," adds Long, "and if you put it through some effects, you can make it sound like a guitar or synthesiser". Sharing musical gene pools with Bowerbirds and new 4AD signing Tune-Yards, 'Time To Die' is charged with a propulsive indie-folk-pop, all manner of rumbling acoustic guitars and frenetic percussion with the spectre of death looming over the charge.

'Small Deaths' is a rumbling opening salvo, while 'Longform' ups the ante with a belter, Long's voice sounding decidedly McCartney-ish. The Wings-like 'Fables' shows a melody-lite and a radio-friendly player, while the stand-out, 'Acorn Factory', is a rolling humdinger with sassy folk-blues finger-picking. 'The Strums' shows Long's vocal range and story-telling are keen, singing - "...kid, look at what you've done, you're fooled by everyone, but soon you'll go get your daddies gun...".

'Troll Nacht' (5/5 for good title) is an upbeat indie-folk sop, and 'This Is A Business' is a lyrically clever piece that tries its' damnedest to keep up with the pounding beat and runaway rhythm, Long yelping - "...this is a bizzniz, this is the only way of lyyyeffee...", while the word-play of 'Two Medicines', "...two two medicines medicines two two..." is detracting from an otherwise well-honed, vibraphoned tune.

The titular final track, 'Time To Die', shows little tonal variation from the album, yet shows a richness of melody beneath the frenetic, agit-folk get-up that characterises the album throughout. At times a change of sound is more becoming, however, and this is the Dodo's Achilles heel - bring on the cow-bells, charge up the band and bring on the brass. Create different flavours and get all spangled! The muster of producer Phil Ek, nevertheless, has worked its' charms with a rock-core and punch, featuring more standouts than The Shins did on 'Wincing The Night Away'. Methinks Snyder too has earned his bus money home.