"Exotic Birds and Fruit" is the seventh full-length studio album by the English rock band Procol Harum. Released in April 1974, it marks a departure from the band's previous albums, which were heavily orchestrated.
The band decided to return to a more 'rootsy' rock sound with a more streamlined, guitar-oriented approach. The album features the pared-down lineup of Gary Brooker, Alan Cartwright, Chris Copping, Mick Grabham, and B.J. Wilson, without the backing orchestra that was a hallmark of their preceding albums. Produced by Chris Thomas and engineered by Geoff Emerick, the album was recorded at AIR Studios in London.
The title, "Exotic Birds and Fruit," was inspired by still life paintings that often depict fruits and birds, as shown in the cover art by Jakob Bogdani, a noted wildlife and still life painter in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The album features ten tracks, including fan favorites "Nothing But the Truth," "As Strong as Samson," and "Beyond the Pale."
Despite not charting as high as some of their other records, the album received generally positive reviews, with many critics and fans praising the band's return to a more basic rock sound. Its musical style ranges from rock and blues to influences of soul and about different situational subjects like frustration, despair, and faith.
However, the album was not successful in the UK, but showed better results in the USA, Germany, and Australia. Despite some commercial success, this album presents a band still in its creative prime, exploring themes, and rewriting the rules.
