Considering how good 2019's Gold Past Life was, I'm sort of surprised that the new one from Fruit Bats snuck up on me. Out now on Merge Records, I'm all set to rave about this one much like I did the last album from Eric D. Johnson and crew. So let's talk about The Pet Parade.
The breathlessly energetic lead single "The Balcony" is so up, so full of life, that's it a sure thing for my Top Tracks of 2021 list in about 9 months. More than that, the cut is bright and melodic in a way that few in American indie can be anymore. While that one surges forward, lots of what's on The Pet Parade is more contemplative. That said, it's all tuneful, of course. "On The Avalon Stairs", like things on the last album from Fruit Bats, has a melodic-line that suggests solo George Harrison to these ears, or even Walls and Bridges-era Lennon, which is to say that it's folk-y and still elegantly-arranged pop. Johnson favors a spiraling guitar-figure on this one and on "Holy Rose", another highlight here, but rarely do the instrumental bits get in the way of the simple loveliness of the song's melody itself. "Eagles Below Us", for example, unfolds on a chamber pop riff that succeeds thanks to what the credits say is a harp synth. There's a sweetness here, but it's tempered with warm awareness. In other hands, this would be lugubrious and mawkish, but Johnson has such a deft, light touch that the material soars.
And if this is Eric D. Johnson's Figure 8, his Elliott Smith album, I'd say that's the highest praise we could shower on this record. Johnson favors a wider view than the intimate takes the late Smith leaned towards, but Johnson too seems to be drawing from a similar set of influences to remake modern folk-infused indie in a way that makes all of this seem fresh and invigorating once again. The Pet Parade and its simple pleasures are ones that will soundtrack this spring for me, and I'd assume there are a lot of folks who'll say the same.
The Pet Parade is out now via Merge Records.
More details on Fruit Bats via the official website.
[Photo: Annie Beedy]