by: Kidman J. Williams
Band: Blue Fruit Snacks
Album: No Artificial Flavors
Label: Independent
Rating: 4.6/5.0
Take me to the beach with a nice bonfire, surfboard, and Blue Fruit Snacks, not the food, the band. This Island Rock band hails from landlocked St. Louis, MO, but don’t let the location fool you, they bring a beach paradise right into the heartland.
The band brings a unique stripped down sound with the very talented Ahna Schoenhoff on lead vocals that will take you back with a Shannon Hoon (Blind Melon) and Janis Joplin kind of an approach while Bongo Jak lays down the rhythm with the bongo drums. Get it? “Bongo” Jak? He also lends sounds from the tambourine, kazoos, and even pulls backing vocal duties, while Jesse Cruzen rounds out the rhythm section with his tasty bass licks.
BFS has been touring nationally now for 5+ years and has played well over 500 shows all over the US.
BFS’s album “No Artificial Flavors” is a high energy spirited race, with a sun to the horizon on a wind surfboard.
From the first few measures of the first track, “Good Pain” you are instantly hooked into the feeling of popping open a cool beer on a hot summer beach evening.
The tone of the album really doesn’t change from song to song on this album, but what it gives you is that “glad all over” feeling that you just need out of music sometimes. The song “Skinny Corn” is no different.
Despite the somewhat dismal lyrics it still contains a powerful message and infectious rhythm that your feet just can’t help but tap and stomp to.
The sixth track “I-YO” will leave you loving life. This song as Schoenhoff states in the beginning of the song “is a sing along.” If the catchy, simplistic sing-a-long lyrics don’t float your boat maybe the kazoo will catch your funny bone enough to hook you.
Some songs have a bit of a long intro, but that is something you should expect with a jam band. For example, “Walking with a Gun” has a two minute intro, but you almost don’t even notice it through the Spanish like chug that keeps you waiting for what’s next.
“No Artificial Flavors” is an album for all ages and all types of consumers. Much like Sublime, it doesn’t matter what genre you typically listen to, Blue Fruit Snacks brings a little something for every listener. They are just looking to show you a good time and they want you to get to the end of the album with nothing but a smile on your face.