The Dodos aren't extinct; I saw them at Bush Hall

Frenchkiss label-mates Passion Pit may be grabbing the headlines, but this trio of talented San Franciscans have garnered as much critical acclaim from their records as their trendier cousins. Their eponymous (official) debut, Visiter, is widely regarded as one of the best albums of 2008 by critics and helped them construct a healthy UK fan base. This was demonstrated by the sell out signs held up outside the door at London's Bush Hall venue.

The set was near-enough half Visiter, half Time To Die - their second and newly released album, brought forward due to one of those all too familiar torrent leaks. A raucous opening was characterised by tunes such as Paint The Rust, Joe's Waltz and This Is A Business and culminated with the superb Red & Purple. They are men of few words while on stage - although altogether more talkative with a beer in their hands backstage - yet manage to create an atmosphere of bonding with the crowd due to the nature of their music. A blend of joyful folk guitar and African (even Latino) influenced drumming leaves a near headache inducing cacophony that proves strangely gratifying. It shouldn't work - but it really, really does.

These are three contented musicians, perfectly comfortable with where they're heading and what they're doing. There are no delusions of grandeur - they're just making damn good music.