
Rate it!
Avg: 4.0 (166 ratings)
- Date Released: August 21, 2007
- Genre: Alternative/Punk
- Style: Indie Rock
- Label: Suicide Squeeze Records / SC Distribution
-
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.
“ The indie iTunes — Hardcore music fans are migrating to eMusic, the iTunes Music Store's cheaper, cooler cousin.”
Rolling Stone
eMusic Tip
Paid downloads are counted towards an album discount but free downloads are not.
COMPLETE FOR FREE!
You can download the rest of the tracks from this album for free! Just click the Complete Album button.
We’re sorry this album can only be downloaded using paid subscription download credits.
We recommend you Save it for Later by clicking the Save for Later button shown just above this message. For a list of related albums you can download right now, check out these recommendations.
We'll give you 10 additional free credits to download this album and start your paid subscription.
Get 10 bonus credits on us if you download this album. Sweet!
10 Total Tracks, 47:58 Total Length
Loading...

![]()
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
Choose from over 7 million
music downloadseMusic features legendary and emerging artists in every genre: classic rock to classical,indie to international, soundtracks to spiritual, jazz to country and many more.
MP3 downloads work on any digital media player
With eMusic, you OWN your music without any restrictions. Burn music to a CD, play it on your computer, mobile phone or any digital media player - including iPod®, Zune® and Walkman®.
Songs available for 50¢ or less
eMusic subscriptions start at just $11.99 a month for 24 downloads - that's just 50¢ per song! And it gets better from there - our plans go as low as 42¢ per song!
Music Discovery
eMusic is about discovery. We make finding new music fun again with music recommendations from our award-winning team of music experts, member playlists and new music features.
Cancel anytime
With all the great music and site features we're pretty sure you will love eMusic. If not, no problem. You can cancel at any time and keep the music you have downloaded.


Post Album to Facebook
