Blitzen Trapper: Furr
Label: Sub Pop
On its fourth album, Portland’s Blitzen Trapper draws on influences from all over the past half-century of music to create an instant classic. Singer-songwriter Eric Earley is equally at home writing perfect Beatles-inspired pop (“Sleepytime in the Western World”), slightly gritty but mostly pretty Dylan-esque folktales (“Furr,” “Lady on the Water”), and fearless, irresistible rock and roll with squealing guitars (“Gold For Bread”). Earley sings like a man who’s been around the block a few times and has his share of stories to tell. And they’re good ones, too, from a boy who wanders into the forest and joins a pack of wolves to a serial killer pondering whether it’s too late to change. The songs on Furr are surprisingly diverse, expertly arranged and immensely engaging. (Kiri)
