There are more then a few noteworthy releases this week, but instead of wasting your time with them today, I've decided to focus on just one.
Caribou (aka Manitoba..aka Dan Snaith) has been releasing little electronic masterpieces since the early 2000s. Beginning with the mostly straightforward, but still original, "Start breaking My Heart". Followed by the critically acclaimed ,more rock-oriented, "Up In Flames". Snaith, had already made a strong name for himself in the underground electronic scene. His last record, 2005s "The Milk of Human Kindness" was another leap into electro post-rock, hip-hop, and trance. To say that Snaith has tried a little bit of everything is an understatement. Today, Snaith releases his 4th full LP, and like all his previous records it's full of surprises.
Andorra is Snaith's most song-focused record by far. Every track on the album features vocals, which is a first for the artist, but that doesn't make it anymore ordinary. Andorra is a psychedellic masterpiece filled with Caribou's trademark electronic aspirations. The album is masked with a cloudy kaleidoscope of pure electronica, with influences of early 60s garage bands like the Zombies, and lyrics stolen right out Brian Wilson's high school notebook. With track titles like Sandy, Desiree, She's The One, and Irene. It's apparent that Snaith's main expression is love. A concept that fits all too well with the album's sound scape.
The album starts remarkably strong with Melody Day, which can easily be considered Snaith's biggest accomplishment. It's the perfect opener with high vocals, crashing drum beats, and even a false ending that leads to an excellent climax. Snaith quickly follows with Sandy, a Zombies-inspired love song that contains flute's backing the beautiful lyrics "sometimes In her eyes, I see forever". Snaith doesn't stop there, She's the One is filled with violins and heartbreaking prose. While Desiree explodes with sunshine after a rather slow and dark intro.
Andorra does start to slow down a bit about half way through. While it does make the album drag toward the end, none of these songs should be dismissed, just taken in repeat doses. A good example is Irene, which is as simple as it is serene, and may be missed if you aren't paying close attention. While the production on this record is top notch, spreading out the louder, more upbeat tracks may have made the album a little easier to finish. The more experimental second half may turn off some listeners after the blockbusters are finished by track 6. Luckily, the album does not overstay its welcome, with only 9 tracks and about 40 min, Andorra could be considered short by some. I think it's just perfect.
Snaith may already have a cult following, but with Andorra, Caribou is about to become a whole lot bigger. Not only does it maintain the bands mystique, it adds even more then many thought possible. It's easy to say that Andorra is Caribou's best album, and with his current album history, it looks like were in for more pleasant surprises.
9.2/10 - Easily in my top 5 of the year. Fans of Electronic and 60s Psychedellic should not pass this up.
-Sauer
Melody Day