Dopapod: Never Odd or Even
Never Odd or Even, Dopapod’s fourth record, is the palindromic Northeast band’s most mature effort yet. The quartet’s second record to feature lyric—guitarist Rob Compa does an impressive job shouldering the lion’s share of the band’s lead vocals—Never Odd or Even is still immediately recognizable as a Dopapod release. Wrought with songs displaying their signature progressive dance-rock style, every track contains multiple passages exploring a variety of moods and themes from the adventurous to the somniferous. One surprise departure from their norm is “Hey Zeus (Que Tal?),” a bluegrass hootenanny gloriously bookended by fuzz-soaked teases of Cream’s classic “Sunshine of Your Love.” Standout tracks include 10-minute odyssey “FABA,” hilarious and supremely danceable “Nerds,” colossal “Psycho Nature,” and perhaps their farthest reaching journey into sound: “Upside Of Down,” which is both soaring and dreamy.