While the Shins are updating jangle pop for today’s indie rock sensibilities, the one-man-band of Caribou does 1960’s jangle pop in the vein of the Association as it was done in the ’60s. Dan Snaith, a.k.a. Caribou, a.k.a. Manitoba, but right now just a.k.a. Caribou, likes what he likes, and he updates for no man.
Songs like track two, “Sandy” are full of “Tomorrow Never Knows”-type unintelligible noises mixed with sleigh bells, flutes that flutter (excuse the alliteration) and harmonies in the chorus — also, there are bridges that sound positively like the sunshine pop of the Association. Making a one-band sound like a six-member ensemble is quite the feat. “After Hours” shows that whereas the music of, say, Moby, can place you in a trance, Caribou can make you fly. The secret, I guess, is breaking into a symphony orchestra “After Hours,” and stealing all the instruments that rockers consider obscure to make a great indie pop record.