Blitzen Trapper: Furr

Blitzen Trapper
Furr
Sub Pop Records [2008]









Fire Note Says: Picking up where they left off - That's a good thing!

Album Review:
Furr is Portland's Blitzen Trapper's fourth album and first for major indie Sub Pop. It's release quickly follows last years critically hailed Wild Mountain Nation [2007], so seeing what direction this eclectic band took is just half of the anticipation. The leadoff track "Sleepytime In The Western World" is a throwback jangly track with a huge chorus that feels like it is out of the 70's and off the newest Elton John record, which makes for a terrific start up to a stellar album. What made Wild Mountain so fun was its quick jump in styles and Furr maintains the same composure and balances a pop Americana flavor but remains totally indie. This is a much harder achievement to pull off but Blitzen Trapper handle it with ease. One focused talent of the band is lead vocalist Eric Earley's likable vocals and the supporting piano that rings throughout Furr. It was just a simple warped piano found in the hallway one day but it became the warhorse upon which Earley wrote and recorded much of Furr on and it really rings out in front on songs “Not Your Lover” and “Echo.” The end result for Blitzen Trapper is another great album in the bands catalog and like last years indie jem that was Wild Mountain Nation - Furr will easily be one of my faves for this year.

Key Tracks: "Furr", "Sleepytime In The Western World", "Saturday Nite"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Okkervil River
Early Elton
The Shins

Official Blitzen Trapper Website
Blitzen Trapper MySpace
Blitzen Trapper Info [Allmusic]
Sub Pop Records

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox