A troubadour with a penchant for the country blues, and a frenetic drummer weaned on prog metal.

In lesser hands, that's a recipe for cacophony.

But for San Francisco-based duo The Dodos, the varied talents of Meric Long and Logan Kroeber are the building blocks for a sonic stew that is subtle and minimal but exhilarating and moving at the same time.

The duo's forthcoming sophomore album, Visiter, was written on the road and recorded with a focus on capturing what Long and Kroeber do best: deliver spine-tingling live sets. It hits stores March 18 on Frenchkiss Records, home to Les Savy Fav, Thunderbirds are Now!, and The Big Sleep.

While Kroeber's sticks-on-metal clackety clack and Long's nimble finger-picking carry the load--and have threatened to blow the roof off many a live venue--it's Long's disarmingly adept songwriting that is the real star here, running down multilayered tales with ease.

Go here to listen to and download the song "Fools" from The Dodos' forthcoming album, Visiter.

"Fools" video: