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Avg: 3.5 (12 ratings)
- Date Released: August 21, 2007
- Genre: Alternative/Punk
- Style: Indie Rock, Alternative
- Label: Undergroove / IODA
Seattle quintet brings a little sensuality to their prog.
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We Say...
This Seattle quintet draws from so many genres that someone reading phrases often used to describe them like “post-rock,” “prog-rock” or even “math-rock” might understandably expect something academic or at least noncommittal. To the contrary, Minus the Bear has a sound and sticks to it, one that abandons the confines of those sources through the force of a propulsive rhythm section, a guitarist unafraid to flex chops rarely associated with indie rock and an introverted singer who’s gradually asserting more of himself in the context of a band defined by its highly interactive group dynamic.
The band’s third full-length album and first with keyboardist Alex Rose represents a further refinement, not a break from its previous releases. Bassist Cory Murchy and drummer Erin Tate still interlock their rhythms in a way that welcomes dancing even when tricky time signatures and sudden shifts threaten to trip up the feet. Guitarist Dave Knudson continues to construct dense layers of intricate riffs, and singer Jake Snider keeps rising to his bandmates’ instrumental challenge with more recognizably personal lyrics about love and lust and loss. As a result of his growth, there’s a newfound sensuality to Planet of Ice that enriches what was already restless and explosive. This is the work of a rare contemporary band that could make sense to both Death Cab For Cutie fans and their King Crimson-lovin’ parents. -
They Say...
As evidenced on Planet of Ice, Minus the Bear's corner of the indie rock universe is much like that of Death Cab for Cutie's: smoothly melodic and tinged with all kinds of forward-thinking ephemera. "Knights" is dotted with electronic traces but driven primarily by spiky prog guitar leads and a driving pop hook. Nevertheless, there's also a grandiose side to Minus the Bear that strives for the arena and some kind of Incubus-like world of proggy, expansive guitar enchantment; it's indicated by the wheeling psychedelic accents on "Throwin' Shapes" and the slicing riffs of "Buryin' Luck." "Ice Monster" and "When We Escape" find the band hunkered down into spacy love grooves, while the icy plinks of "Lotus" locate even dreamier musical spaces. This is an album full of interesting harmonics, polished melodies, and singular arrangements, and overall a strong, hypnotic effort from the Seattle band.
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| 01. |  |
Burying Luck |
4:53 |
|
| 02. | |
Ice Monster |
4:03 |
|
| 03. | |
Knights |
3:39 |
|
| 04. | |
White Mystery |
4:39 |
|
| 05. | |
Dr. L'Ling |
6:48 |
|
| 06. | |
Part 2 |
3:50 |
|
| 07. | |
Throwing Shapes |
2:46 |
|
| 08. | |
When We Escape |
4:03 |
|
| 09. | |
Double Vision |
4:29 |
|
| 10. | |
Lotus |
8:48 |
|
10 Total Tracks, 47:58 Total Length
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Credits
- Ed Brooks - Mastering // Matt Bayles - Producer // Matt Bayles - Mixing // Greg Keplinger - Drum Technician // David Lefkowitz - Management // David Knudson - Guitar // David Knudson - Design // Jake Snider - Guitar // Jake Snider - Vocals // Jake Snider - Engineer // Chris Common - Producer // Chris Common - Engineer // Erin Tate - Percussion // Erin Tate - Drums // Cory Murchy - Bass // Alex Rose - Keyboards // Alex Rose - Saxophone // Alex Rose - Vocals // Alex Rose - Engineer // April Brimer - Photography // John Ziemski - Assistant
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