Caribou - Andorra

Sleigh Bells. Multi-tracked, bombastic drums. Gentle falsettos. Flutophone. Flutophone? Just some of what you'll encounter in the first few minutes of Andorra. For those unaware, Andorra is a small country nestled between Spain and France, and Caribou is one Don Snaith, formerly known as Manitoba (he switched names after threat of lawsuit by ex-pro wrestler Richard "Handsome Dick" Manitoba. No joke.). Andorra continues Snaith's trajectory since 2003's Up in Flames, when he shed the IDM and electronic cocoon of his earlier work for the sun-soaked psychedelic maelstrom (and live band) that continues to date. Snaith has found a new level of focus within the confines of his swirling laboratory and the result is an exhausting slab of avant-pop. '60s grab-bag comparisons here are inevitable. "Melody Day" is remarkably like The United States of America in its soft, falsetto melody and freakbeat drums. The Silver Apples robotic bass line pop of "Sandy" gives it a mechanical propulsion that cuts through its curtains of noise. "After Hours" is Soft Machine reincarnate. "Irene" is a melancholy drum machine-backed pop tune, until it gives way to white noise (literally--or is that pink noise?). The unifier of Snaith's compositions remains the ubiquitous, multi-tracked drum onslaught, but the confidence in his vocals (and subsequently, the melodic appeal) increases with every release. The few missteps, like "Desiree," which falls flat in its meandering, do not deter the overall success of this outing. Half a century of studio experimentation has informed and enhanced the recipe for blissing out, and Caribou cooks up another batch here for your immersion. --Jason Pace Amazon.com

OK for altered states: boring 4 sober music-lovers

I love Melody Day - and After Hours holds my interest. But the rest of the tracks remind me of music I'd listen to back when I'd waste days on end with my brains blown out on various drugs. Listening to Andorra after years in the land of substance-free living, most of the tracks sound derivative. They are missing the creative spark and inventiveness in Melody Day, a quality I now & crave notice thanks to more functional auditory, mental & perceptual faculties. June 24, 2008

If you like Odessey & Oracle, You'll Love andorra.

I've heard Caribou compared to the likes of the Silver Apples, the Beatles and some other psychedelia stalwarts...i'd like to add that this album reminds me a lot of The Zombies' Odessey and Oracle. This is a great album. I recommend both. May 20, 2008

Techno Beatles

This CD has a very nice smooth sound. Sometimes Beatles (their psychedelic stuff) and sometimes techno. Very unique and interesting, but I just don't like it that much and I don't think I will listen to it very often. January 23, 2008

lives up to all the great reviews!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW. I saw these guys open for Super Furry Animals a couple years ago without ever hearing them and was very impressed. But I was not prepared for this!

Their last album was good but this is better. It is a definite mix of psychadelia, indie pop, and electronica. Does that sound weird to you? It shouldn't in 2007 and this works QUITE well. I have to say that some of these songs sound more like authentic 60s psych that lots of these bearded, hippie, hipster, drone bands.

GET THIS ONE. November 16, 2007

Great Album, Good Evolution

This album is filled to the gills with wonderful stuff. Slightly different than their earlier amazing work, but a great development nonetheless. October 24, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...