Blitzen Trapper: Furr

Blitzen Trapper
Furr
Sub Pop

Furr is the fourth release in the Blitzen Trapper catalog, and the follow up to Wild Mountain Nation. Wild Mountain Nation, for me anyway, was one of those albums that came out with a ton of press and lived up to only some of it. There were brilliant sparks of creativity hidden between aural oddities. Seemingly from out of the blue, comes Bitzen trapper's Sub Pop debut Furr. This album comes off as a sophomore release, mainly due to the debutant nature of their Wild Mountain Nation. The catch is that Furr carries none of the usual traits of a sophomore slump, instead, it hits on all cylinders.

Described by Wiki as an "experimental pop band," I think Blitzen Trapper has put the experimentation on hold for the time being as they put forth a mostly consistent and stable album. They seem to have zeroed into the best aspects of Wild Mountain Nation and settled in on a 70's retro, smokey back porch sound that just seems to fit like an old pair of boots. I can't help but think some of the credit for this new focus should be attributed to their lengthy 2008 tour with Fleet Foxes. Playing together in the 7th Street Entry last April made for a show that will go down in the history books. Both bands are destined for much bigger things, and a showcase like that is an anomaly. The bands current six piece lineup is lead by singer/guitarist Eric Earley. It's Eric's vocals and the bands harmonies that have found comfort amongst the rootsy textures of songs like "Black River Killer" and "Gold for Bread." Maintaining a prominent place on my daily play list is the title track "Furr." This is one of those songs that you just can't get enough of. It's a toe tapping sing-a-long song that rings in your head long after the track winds to an end. The album comes to a balanced finish like the last drag off a backwoods cigar. "Lady on the Water" is a quiet story that blends Appalachian fingerpickin guitar, wispy keyboards and light piano.

Blitzen Trapper returns to Minneapolis on November 8th at the Turf Club where they will share the stage with another up-coming band called Horse Feathers. This will undoubtedly be one of the last times you will have a chance to see this band on a small stage in an intimate setting. Don't miss it.

Find Blitzen Trapper on iTunes

Blitzen Trapper Furr