Echo Kid

疾走ガレージ・バンク、ターボ・フルーツ待望のセカンド・アルバム!ソニック・ユースのサーストン・ムーアもベタ惚れする、USナッシュビルのガレージパンク・バンド、ターボ・フルーツがセカンド・アルバムをリリース。鳴り物入りで＜XL＞からデビューしたビー・ユア・オウン・ペット(08年に惜しまれつつ解散・・・)のギタリストでもあるJonas Stein(G, Vo)と、John Eatherly(Dr)を中心に2007年に結成されたガレージバンド。本国アメリカではサーストン主催の＜Ecstatic Peace＞からデビューしたことでも話題に。メンバーチェンジを重ね更にパワーアップ!90年代のオルタナ～パンク～ちょい哀愁系の疾走ガレージパンク・サウンドにテンション上がりっぱなし!

Echo Kid was released by a different label (Fat Possum) and featured a lineup that was two-thirds different than the band that recorded Turbo Fruits' self-titled debut. Despite these fairly significant changes, the band tweaked its sound only slightly on its second album; the twang in founding member Jonas Stein's vocals and guitars still comes through loud and clear on "Trouble!," while "Lotta Lotta Ladies" and "Dear Moses" are just as rambunctious as anything on Turbo Fruits. However, it feels like Stein and company (including bassist Wes Taylor and drummer Zack Martin) tried harder this time: their playing is tighter, and even with song titles like "Mama's Mad Cos I Fried My Brain," the stoner vibe is a lot less noticeable. The band replaces that carefree, bordering on careless feel -- which was part of Turbo Fruits' charm -- with more polished production values and more melody. "Naked with You" and "On the Road" filter tunes that could be lifted from '50s and '60s rock through '70s punk and glam, while "Sadie" has some of the Strokes' easygoing strut to it. At times, Turbo Fruits' sound and energy are more appealing than the actual songwriting, though the literally revved-up "Want Some Mo'," "My Stupid Heart," and "Get Up Get on Down (Tonite)" have equal amounts of enthusiasm and personality. Even if they're not as rambunctious here as they were on their debut, Turbo Fruits' exuberance carries Echo Kid over most of its rough spots. ~ Heather Phares|