The Dodos - No Color Review

The Dodos return with their third full-length album. In direct opposition to their last album, No Color is full of energy and movement, too much actually.

The Dodos - No Color (2011) – 4.7 / 10.0

Release Date: March 15, 2011
Running Time: 41:55
Label: French Kiss
Producer: John Askew
Genre: Post-Punk Revival, Garage Punk
Drug of Choice: Caffeine Pills, Cocaine
Key Tracks:
"Black Night"
"Sleep"
"Don't Stop"


With their third album, the two-piece Dodos look to balance the raw energy of their debut with the lethargy of its follow-up. No Color doesn't do a great job of managing that balance however as the record is a non-stop titillation machine. Before continuing, I have to admit to a personal pet peeve transgressed by the Dodos on this record. The word 'samey' is used a lot by reviewers, while the wording leaves something to be desired, it is a concept that shouldn't be forgiven by fans. When an album refuses to change pace from beginning to end, the result is an exhausting listen. Perhaps the conglomeration of these kinds of records is partially the result of the album format no longer being as important as it once was. Nonetheless, less than halfway through No Color, I found myself ready for the experience to be over. While guitarist Meric Long certainly delivers on some interesting melodies, they take a backseat to the constant whine-screech of his vocals and breakneck cacophony of Logan Kroeber's drums.

I certainly don't want anyone to disregard No Color out of hand. This is a collection of songs that are entirely enjoyable by themselves, particularly the album opener "Black Night" and mid-record surprise "Sleep". It is the collection of them together that is particularly tiresome. In fairness, this is problem the same problem that a band like Built to Spill would have if their instrumentation were reduced to guitar and drum. That being said, I would be willing to grant the Dodos a lot more leniency if they would have only thrown one or two more tracks like "Companions" earlier into the record, if only to break the pace. Sans that, there needs to be more instrumentation on this record to fill the songs out and provide more difference between tracks. Instead, we are left with an almost painfully hypnotic drumbeat that owns the entire process (with apologies to Kroeber, who is obviously talented on the skins). It is also worth noting that Long understands Brian Wilson-esque melodies more than any of his contemporaries. Unfortunately, that just isn't enough to keep this record in your standard rotation.




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Reviewer Stats:
Reviews - 24
Average Rating - 6.86
Highest Rating - 9.5 Blitzen Trapper's American Goldwing
Lowest Rating - 4.0 Her Space Holiday's Her Space Holiday