Popularity has always been both a quintessential and a dividing aspect of the world of music. In some ways, it measures an artist’s success. However, it also tends hampers natural growth and progression by creating demands of an artist that might not exist otherwise. With their latest album Individ, vocalist/singer Meric Long told us they took extra steps to look a bit more into the past towards arguably their most prolific work Visiter in order to create something that would both delight their fans and create the next logical step in the band’s progression as artists. But would it translate to actual growth in their live performance or simply a mild regression? Let us investigate that together.

3…2…1….LET’S GO!

Springtime Carnivore
Lvl. 29 Spinning Songstress
Strengths/Weaknesses:
+ Charming stage personality matches the light tone of most of the music
– Tunes come across as a bit simple, straight-forward indie pop
+ Singer comes across as actually genuinely happy to be there and meet people
– Perhaps comes across as too loose of a performer

Analysis: When it comes down to it, Springtime Carnivore (aka Greta Morgan) was a real delight. Sure, her music isn’t the most memorable, the most thought-provoking, or the most intricate. But that really isn’t the point of her music and the way she and her backing band handled themselves on stage only reenforced this fact. When bunny ears were busted out to celebrate the bassist’s birthday, it became clear that Greta and the rest of her crew were as light-hearted as the music they played, perhaps even more so. And yet, there was a nagging seriousness to a number of her tunes. The most apt comparison I could make would be to a younger, and much less cynical Neko Case, which is a bit ironic due to what came later in the show.

The Dodos
Lvl. 54 Determined Drivers
Strengths/Weaknesses:
+ Return to form as the duo format feels much more comfortable for all
– Relies a bit too much on samples/loops for newer songs because of duo format
+ Ability to play older songs and weave them in and out without dropping a beat
– Technical issues can create large hiccups in performance due to reliance on two members

Analysis: After seeing their performance at Brighton Music Hall and comparing it to when I saw them last at Paradise, I can say with confidence that The Dodos finally feel comfortable in their own skin. While feeling a bit stripped down from previous years, the fervor and pure energy that seemed missing at points were on tap this time around. It was also a delight as a fan to see the band willing and able to draw back and throw gems from the past into their set like “The Season” and “Men”. Greta Morgan also aptly stepped in for Neko Case during the encore with a performance of “Don’t Try and Hide It”, which seemed to epitomize The Dodos’ new attitude towards their music. All that being said, there are definitely some kinks to work out, as technical hiccups with samples and loops created some jarring moments when the set tried to move back towards the present at times. But, it’s never been a better time to be a Dodos fan with the band’s new willingness to loosen up and just be themselves.