Andorra
by Caribou

Album details

US: 21 August 2007 on Merge
UK: 20 August 2007 on City Slang

Canadian-born, London-based Dan Snaith’s short fourth album (including two recorded under his band’s former name of Manitoba) includes a guest appearance by Junior Boys’ Jeremy Greenspan. It also marks Snaith’s first release for Merge, and the album continues his progression away from the electronica of earlier efforts to more of a full-band, psychedelic-rock approach (although it is still entirely performed by Snaith alone).

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The critical consensus

Although Dan Snaith’s past few albums have generated much admiration, Andorra seems to be a bit of a disappointment in the minds of some critics–at least compared to past efforts. Gigwise finds the disc’s 1960s-heavy sound "slightly derivative," and compares it to both Elliott Smith (in a good way) and Kula Shaker (not so much). Now Magazine also pulls out a Smith comparison, but only to highlight how "downhearted" Snaith’s album is. Although Uncut is a big fan, the magazine notes, "Despite the sheer glee with which Snaith throws a whole showroom of kitchen sinks into the mix, it can cumulatively feel a little over-rich." Drowned In Sound similarly finds the album, though well-made, too smooth, slick, and effortless, resulting in a half-hour that floats by without truly involving the listener. CokemachineGlow faults the songwriting for a "mediocre" record. And This Is Fake DIY is definitely not down with the 60s vibe; according to the site, Andorra is "a mighty irritating jumble" that is "the musical equivalent of a lava lamp."

The Stranger, however, admires Snaith’s attention to detail, and notes that, "The whole dazzles; the parts sort themselves out later." Billboard’s Katie Hasty notes that "while it comes off a bit sleepy at times, it’s hard to resist so many smart melodic structures." Dusted states, "Despite its music-geek-pleasing period references and psychedelic density, this is ultimately a frothy pop record full of hopeful love songs." Urb adds, "No doubt it’ll alienate a lot of old fans… but hey, what great record doesn’t?" PopMatters enjoys the music, but isn’t quite as fond of Snaith’s voice, and wonders what would happen if he produced for other artists instead. For Entertainment Weekly, the only problem is that "it’s over far too soon."

Dotmusic praises Andorra as "a superb album that sparkles with subtle vitality." The LA Weekly loves the album, calling it "a computer-aided, handmade thing of heady beauty." Treble feels that Andorra "seamlessly combines all of the best aspects of the Caribou canon into a concise and cohesive pop masterpiece," while Pitchfork praises it as "a big, bold, tuneful collection that impresses with its ambition and meticulous arrangement." Count Lost At Sea as another big fan, as they consider Andorra "not only one of the most mesmerizing and unique albums of the year, but also one of the best." Under The Radar feels Andorra is a step forward for Snaith, calling it "an undeniably more coherent record than its predecessor."

Snaith’s inspired assemblage Andorra is not just uncommonly well done, it goes considerably beyond the ADS-ish pastiching of pop and “serious music” aesthetics into a resonantly blurry realm where the electronic and acoustic become one and the same, and, best of all, the technology and songcraft sound like they emerged from the same musical womb.

- John Payne, LA Weekly

Review roundup

Tracklisting and media

1. Melody Day
   
   
2. Sandy
3. After Hours
4. She’s the One
5. Desiree
6. Eli
7. Sundialing
8. Irene
9. Niobe

Also on the web

• Official Artist Site
• Caribou @ Merge Records
• Caribou @ MySpace