Fruit Bats: Tripper

Fruit Bats
Tripper
Sub Pop Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Another layer of Fruit Bats is exposed on fifth long player Tripper.

Album Review:
The Fruit Bats and leader Eric Johnson have been a staple on the indie scene since their 2001 debut Echolocation. Album after album, Johnson has always supplied a competent set of songs that always contain some pop gems that make the album worth checking out and repeat plays a necessary action. So far, every record always seems to take on a different personality and with Tripper, it is a record that pulls back, quiets down and shifts the spotlight directly to Johnson as a musician and songwriter. On Fruit Bats last record, The Ruminant Band [2009], Johnson broke out the rock but here on Tripper, synthesizers and loops are brought in while Johnson handles many of the instruments himself. This also subdues the hooks on this record and gives it a much more solo vibe, like on the folkish "Shivering Fawn" or even the short instrumental "The Fen". There is the dreamy "So Long" that just floats along while the driving soft rocker "Tangie And Ray" could have been a Wings tune. With Tripper, Eric Johnson once again shows another side of the Fruit Bats and with repeat listens this record can become as infectious as his earlier work!

Key Tracks: "Heart Like An Orange", "Tony The Tripper", "Tangie And Ray"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Vetiver
The Tallest Man On Earth
The Shins

Fruit Bats : The Ruminant Band [Fire Note Review 8/3/09]

Fruit Bats Website
Fruit Bats Facebook
Sub Pop Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony