“Johnson navigates the songs with intimacy while freely straying from the record’s blueprint. In the original, high drama and explosive washes of guitars greet listeners at every turn. Muting both elements, Johnson strips the songs of their grandeur and amplifies their air of loneliness. The effect is poignant, as if the singer is communing with his younger self.” —New Yorker

“…the perfect balance of reverence and curiosity—for every multitracked guitar solo or jazzy drum part [Johnson] removes, he adds a new sound or idea, opening a window on a masterpiece that most music fans who survived the alt-rock era already know from every angle… the rare covers album that feels essential.” —Relix

Today is the greatest, as Fruit Bats have digitally released their full-album cover of Siamese Dream by Smashing Pumpkins! Recorded between The Pet Parade and Gold Past Life and originally released on vinyl last summer via Turntable Kitchen’s SOUNDS DELICIOUS subscription series, the Fruit Bats version of Siamese Dream can now be heard in full on your favorite cloud:

From Fruit Bats’ Eric D. Johnson:

In 1993, I was the prime age to be swept up in alternative radio. But truth be told, while I loved Nirvana and Jane’s Addiction, in my heart I was still secretly wearing a hole in my cassette copy of Steve Miller Band’s Greatest Hits 1974-78. Somehow, Smashing Pumpkins spoke to all sides of me—angsty on the surface but really filled with a kind of Midwest mysticism that spoke directly to my 17-year-old-kid-from-Illinois brain. It’s also the first tape I ever listened to while driving a long distance alone. I’m pretty sure my version of this album is based on subconscious memories of that drive. I played all the instruments on this. And no, of course I’m not going to be able to recreate Billy Corgan’s crushing, epic guitar tone. Nor could I dream of touching Jimmy Chamberlin’s floaty (yet ever-shredding) drumming. This version is all about hazy memories for me, and how Corgan’s brilliant pop hooks can travel through time and exist in any possible instrumental configuration.

Catch Fruit Bats at Newport Folk Fest this Monday! Fruit Bats have also recently announced new tour dates this fall, their first since the release of March’s The Pet Parade. A full list of announced shows can be found below; get your tickets today.

Fruit Bats on tour:
Jul 26 Newport, RI – Newport Folk Festival
Aug 14 New Braunfels, TX – Sendero x Lone Star River Rodeo Fest
Aug 20 Minneapolis, MN – Icehouse^
Aug 21 Minneapolis, MN – Icehouse^
Sep 09 Park City, UT – Park City Song Summit (solo with Iron & Wine)
Oct 13 San Diego, CA – Music Box
Oct 14 Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
Oct 15 Palm Springs, CA – The Alibi*
Oct 16 Pioneertown, CA – Pappy & Harriet’s*
Oct 21 San Rafael, CA – Terrapin Crossroads* [SOLD OUT]
Oct 22 Sonoma, CA – Sonoma Sebastiani Theatre*
Oct 23 Big Sur, CA – Fernwood
Oct 24 Sun Luis Obispo, CA – SLO Brew Concert Hall
Mar 09 Santa Barbara, CA – SOhO
Mar 10 Los Angeles, CA – The Lodge Room
Mar 11 San Francisco, CA – The Chapel*
Mar 12 San Francisco, CA – The Chapel*
Mar 13 Sacramento, CA – Harlow’s
Mar 17 Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom
Mar 18 Vancouver, BC – Hollywood Theatre
Mar 19 Seattle, WA – The Showbox
Apr 07 Dallas, TX – The Kessler Theater
Apr 08 Austin, TX – 3TEN at ACL Live*
Apr 09 Austin, TX – 3TEN at ACL Live*
Apr 10 Houston, TX – The Heights Theater
Apr 12 New Orleans, LA – Tipitina’s
Apr 13 Birmingham, AL – Saturn
Apr 14 Nashville, TN – Basement East
Apr 15 Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
Apr 16 Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall
Apr 17 Richmond, VA – Richmond Music Hall
Apr 19 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
Apr 20 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
Apr 21 Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair
Apr 22 Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm Studios [SOLD OUT]
Apr 23 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
Apr 26 Toronto, ON – Great Hall
Apr 27 Detroit, MI – El Club
Apr 28 Indianapolis, IN – HI-FI
Apr 29 Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
May 06 Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater*
May 07 Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater*
* Different set lists, no repeat songs
^ Duo performance w/ Vetiver

[photo: Annie Beedy]