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Artist: Dosh
Album: Wolves And Wishes
Label: Anticon
Release Date: May 14th, 2008
Some people are simply born to play music. To some extent, the language appears to be innate to them.
Such is the case with Minneapolis-bred Martin Dosh. On his fourth full-length to date, the multi-instrumentalist (machine)—perhaps best known for his significant role in shaping Andrew Bird's 2007 album, Armchair Apocrypha—churns out a stirring mishmash of experimentalism.
In Dosh's virtuosic world, notes are merely toys. He manipulates and arranges them to make it sound as though his band consists of an ensemble—when in actuality it essentially consists of him. Ultimately, however, Wolves And Wishes relies on a certain synergy between Dosh and a vast array of collaborators (Andrew Bird, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Fog, Odd Nosdam, David King, Mike Lewis and Jeremy Ylvisaker).
Dosh - "Don't Wait For The Needle To Drop"
As demonstrated in the opening track, "Don't Wait For The Needle To Drop," the feverish rhythmic patterns and ever-revolving chimes are far more arresting with Bird's swell of crescendos. The song's entire composition is altered in a small, but significant way. And to that end, Dosh's signature loop-induced groove is generally broadened by the musicians he rubs elbows with.
Other songs find Bonnie 'Prince' Billy crying out ("Bury The Ghost"), Jeremy Ylvisaker of Fog pouring out My Bloody Valentine-esque guitars ("Wolves") and the Bad Plus drummer David King laying down twisted Gordian beats ("Capture The Flag").
All in all, Wolves And Wishes proves to be Dosh's most explorative and cathartic effort thus far. One can more easily conceptualize his rather frenetic pace with the help of others.