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"Lives of Crime," from Fruit Bats' "Spelled in Bones"

One-time Califone collaborator Eric Johnson has described his concept of Fruit Bats as the link between the Holy Modal Rounders and Rumors-era Fleetwood Mac. While that may have been true up to a point, their most recent recording, Spelled in Bones, finds the band definitely knee-deep in the latter’s influence. This could have been a bad thing, but fortunately for Fruit Bats, they happen to excel in writing catchy yet extremely off beat songs. The first track, “Lives in Crime,” sets the tone for the record. Recalling the vocal stylings of Doug Martsch of Built to Spill, Johnson weaves tales of nostalgia across a blend of folk, psychedelia and desert soundscapes. Spelled in Bones is Fruit Bats' most accomplished record to date, one that Lindsey Buckingham would approve of. It’s no wonder there’s a wistful ode called “Born in the ’70s” on it.

Fruit Bats peform at Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk Street (855-3931), on Tuesday, May 2, at 9pm with Amandine and Sam Jayne.