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Nov 10, 2009 The Dodos By Michele Yamamoto Photography by Michele Yamamoto

Fresh from their performance on one of the biggest stages at Austin City Limits, The Dodos stepped on to a small stage nestled into a corner of the Rock and Roll Hotel. Large enough to comfortably hold the three-piece setup, which includes a vibraphone and one thrashing Meric Long, the stage remained dwarfed by the sold out crowd pressed up against it.

As startling and convoluted as their songs may be upon first hearing, the trio performed without confusion, each member in close agreement as they moved through meter, tempo, and dynamic changes.

Opening with “Paint the Rust” and closing with the opening suite from 2008’s Visiter, the set list included plenty from the new album, Time to Die. Lead singer Meric Long’s strong and steady vocals provided an even match for Logan Kroeber’s tight and idiosyncratic drumming—complete with a tambourine duct-taped to his left foot and no kick in sight. The added vibraphone provided a reflective aquatic gleam on top of the band’s sound and Long’s hyper-kinetic guitar style brought that consistent roll.

The band brought a little bit of a light show as well. During “Small Deaths,” the room went to black as the three members donned colorful LED light rings, their movements sending splashes of light onto the walls and out over the audience.

Versatile and exciting to follow, The Dodos demonstrated to the sold-out Rock and Roll Hotel their readiness to deliver. (www.dodosmusic.net)

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