The most impressive aspect of this album is that Minus the Bear are a wonderful electric band. They utilize keyboards and myriad guitar pedals-- the fact that they've translated their songs so well to a medium that doesn't make use of neither keyboards nor guitar effects is a testament to their songwriting abilities.
i love this band, but this sounds like that med martin and wood junk.
I've been listening to Minus the Bear for a while now, and when I first heard they were coming out with an acoustic album I was a little suspicious. However, they absolutely pulled it off and some of the songs might be better than the originals. The only new song, Guns and Ammo, really stands out.
i would like to listen to this songs live. Nice arrangements.
I have to disagree with Sumset. I think this album is outstanding. Their guitar work is masterful and eclectic whether plugged in or not. For me however the highlight of the record is the percussion. Yes it is different from versions on their other recordings but just as inventive.
Unlike some reviewers, I like this album A LOT. Sure Minus the Bear are a great "ROCK" band, but for me, Minus the Bear are a great band to listen to when driving long distances and thinking about good times long past. With Winter approaching fast, this album will defiantly get many plays in my car. Good job, guys!
I LOVE MTB! Have all their previous recordings on cd and Planet of Ice also on vinyl. So don't hate me for being truly dissapointed by this outing. Their electic guitar work is so masterful and eclectic that simple acoustics cannot compete. Their drummer/s? I think they may have had more than one??? Have been extrodinary. From purposefully sparse and thin to complex meter changes and all out assault. It'd have been better to not even put percussive elements on this release. Oh, and to be completely anal, this is suppposed to be an "Acoustic" album and there is most diffenitely an organ/keyboard on all but 2 of the songs. Sorry MTB, but I hope this is the last of these types of albums seen by a superior "rock" band.
