The Fruit Bats Review
Cover of The Fruit Bats new album "Ruminant Band"
I was sent a message from a friend last night. It was a short email at the end of a day of us bouncing them back and forth. Less than 100 characters, it amounted to a “Tweet” (a phenomenon that I’ve yet to indulge in and may never). He was reporting on his status from five blocks away: freshly showered, clipping his toe nails and listening to the new Fruit Bats album. My response was apropos of, hopefully loud.
I applaud all of these things in my friends. Especially the latter trait whereas I’m always “pro-hygiene” there is an ever stronger part of me that finds itself pro freak/folk rock from Seattle.
From its Chris Ware cover artwork inward (interesting yet somehow dischordantly modern for the Bats whose sound is arcane) the record amounts to a summer afternoon delight. My prevailing context for music is time of year and time of day. Maybe I’m getting older, having seen too many sunsets. I was somewhat disillusioned to know that Eric — mastermind of the Fruit Bats — is now a regular member of The Shins a band whose appeal has receded dramatically in recent years (from a band who I held in high esteem for a long time). It makes me wonder if whether or not the newest incarnations of The Shins are preventing me from both a re-dux of their defining work, “Oh, Inverted World” as well as more great Fruit Bats creations.
http://www.kevchino.com/review/fruit-bats/ruminant-band/1843
Posted: August 6th, 2009 under Music Reviews.