Landfill, The

12th album from Chicago native, now L.A. resident, Eric D. Johnson and his Fruit Bats project. Johnson is the only permanent member of Fruit Bats, bringing in various members for recording sessions and touring. His expressive vocals frequently have an Americana flavor. But his arrangements take the album into territory ranging from power pop to 70s-style folk rock — with captivating melodies and thoughtful lyrics. It’s another solid entry in his impressive catalog. RIYL: Bonny Light Horseman (Johnson is part of that trio), Dr. Dog, Whitney, Cut Worms and The Shins.
— Francis

Recommended: 10, 2, 4, 5, 1, 6. FCC on unedited Track 11.

1. (3:01) The Saddest Part Of The Song (Clean Edit) — Swaying, cinematic and soulful. Guitar arpeggios and piano. Johnson’s melancholy vocals soar into falsettos. ***
2. (3:13) All Wounds — Chiming guitar over a skipping beat with contemplative vocals. Harmonica in the lead break. “Time heals all wounds is a thing they say/But I haven’t always found it to be that way.” ****
3. (2:41) Think Aboutcha — Power pop with a swaggering beat, plinking piano and distorted guitar washes.
4. (3:11) That Goddamn Sun — Light and nimble swinging pop with broad orchestration. Uplifting melody. Lyrics touch on light and dark emotions. ****
5. (4:17) Silverfish In The Sink — Starts with a few seconds of room noise. A sad and sentimental ballad. Piano — along with Johnson’s emotive vocals singing about the loneliness of living in Southern California — take center stage. ****
6. (3:35) Wild Pony Tower Moment — Throwback to pop of the mid-70s. Strummed guitar, piano, synths and flowing orchestration are reminiscent of bands such as America. ***
7. (3:44) Fishin’ For A Vision — Lightly tripping alt country tune. Syncopated beat. Agile guitar work. Playful vocal delivery.
8. (3:07) Perhaps We’re A Storm — Combines strummy acoustic and electric guitars with a tumbling drum track to create an urgent feeling.
9. (4:43) Hummingbird Sage — Slow-tempo ballad. Jangly guitars. Deliberate tempo with a steady beat. Expansive, anthemic vocals.
10. (2:56) The Landfill — An up-tempo folk rock hit with catchy melody and wistful, soaring vocals. Piano and reverbed guitar over a propulsive rhythm. Electric guitar in the lead break. ****
11. (3:01) The Saddest Part Of The Song (Explicit) — FCC: fucking — Unedited version of Track 1.