Fruit Bats

Despite their contemporary know-how, Fruit Bats conjure up nostalgic mid-century folk. Originally formed as a side project by singer Eric Johnson (then of I, Rowboat, and not Archers Of Loaf), the band hit its stride with 2001’s Echolocation and has since followed a meandering trajectory of pure Americana. The 2009 album The Ruminant Band saw Johnson giving more breathing room to include his bandmates’ varying styles, but Johnson recorded the Fruit Bats’ new Tripper largely by himself, indicative of the stylistic shift towards a singular sound of sweet melodies—still reminiscent of his other band, The Shins—channeled through woven guitar lines, psych-pop flourishes and warm ambience.

Updated 08/30/2011