Turbo Fruits - Echo Kid (2009)

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.