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THE CARIBOU BAND


Posted by Hartley On Sep 27, 2007

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The last thing I want to hear is another electronic record with break beats. I loved Dan Snaith's aka Manitoba aka Caribou's previous stuff - but in my heart of hearts I really wasn't "checkin'" for his new one, Andorra, because the period of my life where I enjoyed "trippy beat-addled electronica records" has come and gone like the freakin' Gilmore Girls and slap bracelets. Last month, when the box of Andorra's landed in BRM HQ, you have to believe me that the cold album art wasn't really screaming out to be imported into my iTunes library. Another day, another Four Tet reference.

I almost missed one of the best albums of the year. First of all, Andorra's not even an "electronic" record - half these songs (and they are songs) sound like outtakes from a Nuggets compilation or just the freakin' Zombies. If Snaith hadn't already changed the name of his "project" once already, I would've suggested that Merge release this album as by The Caribou Band. The least they coulda done was made the album art reflect more of the retro feel of the actual record. That certainly would've been more "celebratory" - because in my world, it is cause for celebration when someone can produce something "fresh," "original," and "engaging" out of one of the most pillaged, and prostituted genres of music to date: 60's garage pop. Stop me before I use "kaleidoscope" as an adjective.

If you don't believe just how fucking spot-on Snaith has captured the decade where innocence was lost, and otherwise straight men unironically wore silk scarves and sunflowers, check out these in-studio previews of The Caribou ...band, kicking out the jams HERE. Live performances so good, we can't even post them because Merge gave the exclusive to sterogumvsbearvegankentuckyblogotheque.com.

 

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