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