Blitzen Trapper's 'Furr' sure to ensnare new listeners
by Thomas Mooney, staff writer
“Furr” is the fourth
studio album by semi-bearded mountain men from Oregon known
as Blitzen Trapper.
It might seem that
there is some kind of time machine located in the great
northwest that is bringing back obscure Neil Young cover
bands. But I assure you that these bands are from the 21st
century. Although it’s 2008, Blitzen Trapper still plays
like they are part of the folk movement of the early 1960s.
On “Furr,” Trapper’s
influences are painted all over the album, and with none
more apparent than Bob Dylan and The Grateful Dead. Many of
the tracks on “Furr” are equipped with great harmonica play
that could easily be inserted in Dylan’s 1963 album “The
Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan.”
Eric Earley, lead
vocalist and primary lyricist, sounds like a mix of Graham
Nash and Dylan. Earley’s vocals aren’t going to be mistaken
for those of James Taylor, but they mesh well with the band
and give them that gritty sound that they are aiming for.
Earley’s lyrics also
reflect that of Dylan and The Dead. They are somewhat
scatter-brained here and there, making you wonder what
Earley is trying express, or if he is even trying to make a
point about something in the first place. One thing is for
certain, Earley’s lyrics are very catchy, memorable, and
show that he has a great sense of humor.
“Gold for Bread” is
the first great standout. “Gold for Bread” is set with
guitar riffs that resemble Mountain’s “Mississippi Queen”
and somewhat foretelling lyrics. By the time you hear Earley
sing the chorus line, “gotta load up the car; get my right
beat back, do some air guitar,” you are already doing the
latter, playing air guitar. On “Gold for Bread,” some of
Earley’s sense of humor shines through. Earley sings about
everything from masked monkeys with midgets to dice-throwing
preachers.
“Furr” is the third
track and Trapper’s first single off the album. “Furr” is a
great acoustic storyteller, with Earley narrating a tale
about living with a pack of wolves. Earley’s detailed lyrics
are showcased on the tune’s notable melody. The vocals,
acoustic guitar, and harmonica are intertwined beautifully
on this song about growing up and settling down, changing
from a wild adolescent to a family man.
“Black River Killer”
is yet another great tale about a murderer. The lyrics for
“Black River Killer” are sharp as tacks and make this story
tightly woven. The most memorable thing about the song is a
great synth line that could easily be mistaken for something
off of a Dr. Dre-produced album. On paper, that might not
sound exactly like a great fit. But after hearing, it’s easy
to see how they go well together.
What makes it so
unforgettable and brilliant is that it isn’t overused in the
song and doesn’t show up anywhere else on the album. On most
things like this, less is usually more, and makes the song a
force.
Two of the last songs
mirror each other, with the primary instrument being an aged
piano.
“Not Your Lover” is
a simple song about falling out of love. The song is a great
change of pace for the album and is serves as an interlude
for the album. Earley croons about being a “moon-walking
cowboy” who has fallen out of love with his other half and
doesn’t have to put up the act when he falls asleep.
“Echo/Always On/Easy
Con” is a medley of two short songs that start off sounding
nicely like Neil Young’s “A Man Needs a Maid,” but gradually
change from simple piano to disco keyboards that could be
heard in a Beck song. Blitzen Trapper walks a very fine line
here but does not falter, showing how diverse their
influences can be from time to time.
On “Furr,” Blitzen
Trapper makes their case for being considered as the new
Grateful Dead, without using them as their sole influence.
Not once on the album do they sound like copycat artists who
are just using proven sounds to make music. Right when you
start to put Trapper in one category or genre, they do
something that reminds you of something entirely different.
“Furr” is a great
album that clocks in around the 40-minute mark. Trapper does
a great job of not making songs too long and repetitive,
like many indie-based bands do.
I give Blitzen
Trapper’s “Furr” a rating of four out of five stars. I have
to say it’s one of the more balanced and solid albums of the
year.
“Furr” should bring a
new crowd of listeners and please those who have already
been trapped by the sound of Blitzen Trapper.
