The Glory of Fruit Bats

Released in late 2016, The Glory of Fruit Bats serves as a more intimate, skeletal counterpart to the more robust Absolute Loser released earlier that same year. While Fruit Bats is primarily the vehicle for Eric D. Johnson, this specific release leans heavily into the 'solo' aspect of the project, stripping away the full-band arrangements in favor of a more raw, lo-fi aesthetic. The album includes a mix of originals and thoughtfully chosen covers, most notably a hauntingly sparse rendition of Dolly Parton's 'I Will Always Love You' and a version of Judee Sill's 'My Man on Love.' This record highlights Johnson's strengths as a melodicist and his unique vocal range, positioning him within the lineage of 1970s singer-songwriters while maintaining a modern indie-folk sensibility. It is often cited by fans as one of the most personal and atmospheric entries in the Fruit Bats discography, bridging the gap between his more experimental early work and his later, more polished Americana successes.