I do not like hippies. They smell funny, they eat weird food, and they listen to bad music. With the exception of some of the more experimental psychedelic bands from the 60’s (Can, Neu! and the like), I normally dismiss any music made within that time frame as patchouli-scented detritus. Call me narrow-minded, but I know what I can and cannot stand, and I cannot stand hippies.*
I preface this review with my hippie prejudice because, for all intents and purposes, this new Caribou record is something that I would normally catalogue as total hippie throwback crap. Unfortunately, because this record is one of the best I’ve heard this year, my ever-present self-righteousness has taken a massive blow. You are witnessing me overcome my prejudice against (a select few) filthy hippies. I am officially filled with less hate than this morning. I may even become a functioning part of society at some point, lacking all of my present resentment and derision. Give me fifty or so years. I’ll work on it.*
The best description I can give Andorra is quasi-pyschedelic 60’s-esque noise ( I realize that’s a ton of hypens, but I’m working within the constraints of the English language, bastard tongue that it is, so deal with it). The music has a classic 60’s pop sound crossed with more modern experimental elements and electronics, and the combination of the two on this particular record works. Really works. The vocals and harmonies are so smooth and sunny that the music almost sounds like 60’s surf pop, albeit taken down a notch (think: Brian Wilson on a fistful of quaaludes). Add in some seriously dreamy noise, random sleigh bells, epic choruses and sweet drum machines and that’s Andorra distilled.
The entire album is excellent, but highlights include “Sandy,” which has the loveliest chorus I’ve heard in a long time, “Eli,” with its charming noise, and “Irene,” full of dreamy keyboards and vocals that I can only describe as gorgeous. This is Caribou’s fourth full length, and the band just keeps getting better with each release. I consider this to be the mark of a truly talented artist, regardless of hippie status.
Release date: August 21, 2007
Label: Merge Records
Rating: 8.5/10
*For a detailed list of everything I detest, including most hippies, you may email me at xiuxiuvinyl@yahoo.com.
*Maybe.
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[...] Caribou, AndorraI do not like hippies. They smell funny, they eat weird food, and they listen to bad music. With the exception of some of the more experimental psychedelic bands from the 60’s (Can, Neu! and the like), I normally dismiss any music made … [...]
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Pingback by Andorra » Blog Archives » Lead review: Caribou, “Andorra” — September 25, 2007 @ 5:14 am
[...] Caribou, AndorraI do not like hippies. They smell funny, they eat weird food, and they listen to bad music. With the exception of some of the more experimental psychedelic bands from the 60’s (Can, Neu! and the like), I normally dismiss any music made … [...]