Echolocation by Fruit Bats
Recorded in Chicago in 2001 with producer Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Iron & Wine), Echolocation is the first in the long string of amazing and varied records made by leader Eric D. Johnson. This is the starting point, the songs that had been kicking around looking for a suitable home, and they found it here. With backing from many of the members of Califone, Johnson made a lush and understated record that has stood the test of the 10 years it’s been around. This is it’s first release on vinyl and it’s a perfect marriage of sound and format, with vinyl’s inherent pop’s and crackles only enhancing the back porch at sunset vibe that permeates these songs.
"It's that spontaneous trip to the cabin. Sitting by the lake, wrapped in gentle mountain weather. No one else around but those few close friends. Watching deer graze nearby. Every star is exposed. Skinny-dipping in the lake. Crickets whispering to each other. Your marshmellow just fell in the fire. Heavenly and delectable. For the escapist in all of us."
- R. Colton "metamorphose" (Salt Lake City, UT United States)
Tracklist
| 1. | The Old Black Hole | 5:28 |
| 2. | Glass In Your Feet | 3:55 |
| 3. | Buffalo & Deer | 5:17 |
| 4. | Need It Just A Little | 4:59 |
| 5. | Black Bells (Make Me Ok) | 4:32 |
| 6. | Strange Little Neck Of The Woods | 3:55 |
| 7. | Echolocation Stomp | 0:55 |
| 8. | Coal Age | 2:39 |
| 9. | Filthy Water | 5:08 |
| 10. | A Dodo Egg | 5:49 |
| 11. | Dragon Ships | 6:01 |
| 12. | Blue Parachute | 2:46 |
Credits
Produced and mixed by Brian Deck at Clava Sound, Chicago, IL
Mastered by Dan Stout at Colossal Mastering, Chicago, IL
ERIC D. JOHNSON vocals, guitars, piano, percussion, organ, banjo, marimba, bass
DAN STRACK guitars, vocals, ukelele, clarinet, percussion, piano
BRIAN DECK percussion, drum kit, vocals, casio, marimba, fuzzfactory guitar, crickets
CHARLES KIM pedal steel, bass
JIM BECKER fiddle, mandolin, cajun triangle
with
TIM RUTILI slide on 1, feedback and vocals on 3
GILLIAN LISEE keyboard on 6, vocals on 3
BEN MASSARELLA fantasy maneuvers on 9
BRIAN BELVAL percussion on 7
Cover artwork for LP reissue by Annie Beedy, inspired by 8mm Films by Donald H. Johnson, Sr., a bear picture by Don, Jr. and Polaroids by E. Johnson
Layout for LP reissue by Rob Jones
Thanks to: Kimmy, Lori, Perishable/Clava folk, I Rowboat, Califone, all families and loved ones
All songs by Eric D. Johnson copyright 2000
Published by Fourteen with a Beard/BMI
