FRUIT BATS | TRIPPER
The Fruit Bats are back, following 2009’s Ruminant Band with their fifth full length, Tripper. This time Eric D. Johnson takes a more prominent role, leading the quartet the first week of recording in an LA studio, then spending the next month working singly with Thom Monahan (producer for Vetiver, Devendra Banhart, Pernice Brothers). Johnson’s vision of simple narratives with rich characters drives the collection, many songs exploring the theme of taking to the road, leaving the past behind, and reinventing identities. The development of Tripper echoes Johnson’s own, having recently completed solo work for a couple of soundtracks, including the Paul Rudd comedy Our Idiot Brother, following years of touring with Fruit Bats and other notable bands like Califone, Vetiver, and The Shins. While the lyrics are central to the works, the contribution of the full band should not be underestimated as Tripper sees the Fruit Bats return to a more measured, spacious sound. Tripper is a great album that should not be missed. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Dr. Dog, The Elected, Holopaw, Rogue Wave, The Shins
posted by JFelton, September 20, 2011
FRUIT BATS | RUMINANT BAND
The Ruminant Band is the Fruit Bats first release since 05’s Spelled In Bones and frontman Eric D. Johnson’s four-year hiatus from the Fruit Bats to work with Vetiver and the Shins. The Fruit Bats continue to expand the boundaries between indie pop, Americana, and folk with a new set of sunny indie pop songs. The Ruminant Band is further influenced by sounds of ’70s Southern rock (ala Gram Parsons) and the Beach Boys (Pet Sounds-era) resulting in a easygoing and effortlessly sounding record.
SIMILAR | Dr. Dog, The Elected, Holopaw, Rogue Wave, The Shins
posted by JFelton, August 10, 2009
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