Minus the Bear

3sAnd7s · 05-04-2010, 10:17 AM

New album is out today.

Charlemagne · 05-08-2010, 05:41 PM

New album is pretty good, not as good as Planet of Ice or Menos El Oso, but it certainly isn't bad. It's about half synth based songs and half guitar based songs.

sidewinder · 05-26-2010, 02:48 PM

I made a new thread for the album in the rating forum the other day, shouldn't have bothered as it doesn't seem popular enough to generate discussion. So here's my feedback on the album.

I just finished my first listen of Omni (Monday), and I have to say I'm a little surprised by this album. I went in with low expectations, with reports of it being very synth-based, and not liking the sound of the track I heard bits of before hearing the whole album ("Into the Mirror" I think). But after a trip to the record store this weekend and a quick sampling of the album at a listening station, I decided to check it out.

I don't find it nearly as "synth pop" as many claim it to be. And by many I'm referring to some of the reviews on rateyourmusic.com. What grabbed me when I sampled it at the store was that the guitars and drums seemed as prominent as ever. There are synths, sure, but to me they weren't any more prominent than in any of their other albums. The album reminds me more of Highly Refined Pirates than the last two...which is a good thing. It's definitely not as playful or complex, but it has a more lively energy than Planet of Ice, that's for sure. I think I'll be enjoying this album. My one complaint is that the lyrics are a bit juvenile. They were never the most mature band out there, but on the debut there was humor along with it. Now, it's a more serious tone but still the mind of a teenager/young college student. Planet of Ice also had a more serious tone (along with the more serious-sounding music, part of what didn't appeal to me about it when compared to the first 2 albums) but the lyrical content didn't seem as cheesy.

crash_override · 05-27-2010, 11:23 AM

Love this band, have to be in the mood for it though. I haven't heard the new album but I quite enjoyed Planet Ice and Highly Refined Pirates.

Flock Of Bagels · 05-27-2010, 03:52 PM

I had no idea who Minus The Bear was until Rich Russo announced them on his show (Anything, Anything on 101.9 WRXP) here in New York a few weeks ago, when he announced they were having a surprise show here the next night, and tickets were to go on sale the next morning (Monday, his show is Sunday nights 9-11). This is like a week after he announced a surprise Foxboro Hot Tubs show (which is, ahem, *NOT Green Day*), anyone who lives in NYC should check out Rich's show. But yeah, I was ready to go at 9AM and was lucky enough to score a ticket to see them that night at Bowery Electric. And now, what can I say? I'm a fan. I can't stop listening to My Time and I can't wait to see them again!

Thrice · 05-31-2010, 11:12 PM

I've given it a listen twice intently and once just hearing it. So far, it is not up to par with my expectations, therefore not so enjoyable to me. I'll try and let it grow on me, but I don't see much of a point when I can listen to something better by them.

Laces Out Dan! · 05-31-2010, 11:48 PM

Yeaaa, I think its their least impressive album so far...kinda boring compared to what Im used to..Im hoping its gonna be a grower.

Seltzer · 06-01-2010, 02:58 AM

I'm listening to a few songs from Omni on the tube now and I can see what you guys mean... it is a little flat sounding but I do like My Time. I think I'll reserve judgement until I've heard it all a couple of times.

bpn · 06-09-2010, 06:27 PM

This band is so underrated. I love them.

Planet Of Ice is superb. Their new album is pretty good as well.

duga · 06-10-2010, 09:01 AM

I just realized I have a couple albums of theirs downloaded on my ipod, but I never actually listened to them. They have been there a while, too...

I'm giving Highly Refined Pirates a spin and I have to say...not bad so far.

05-08-2010, 05:41 PM	#42 (permalink)
Charlemagne Say something vague Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,551	New album is pretty good, not as good as Planet of Ice or Menos El Oso, but it certainly isn't bad. It's about half synth based songs and half guitar based songs. __________________ Charlemagne had eyes like a lover, but last winter there was weather and his eyes they iced right over. My Last.fm

05-26-2010, 02:48 PM	#43 (permalink)
sidewinder Engorged Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,536	I made a new thread for the album in the rating forum the other day, shouldn't have bothered as it doesn't seem popular enough to generate discussion. So here's my feedback on the album. I just finished my first listen of Omni (Monday), and I have to say I'm a little surprised by this album. I went in with low expectations, with reports of it being very synth-based, and not liking the sound of the track I heard bits of before hearing the whole album ("Into the Mirror" I think). But after a trip to the record store this weekend and a quick sampling of the album at a listening station, I decided to check it out. I don't find it nearly as "synth pop" as many claim it to be. And by many I'm referring to some of the reviews on rateyourmusic.com. What grabbed me when I sampled it at the store was that the guitars and drums seemed as prominent as ever. There are synths, sure, but to me they weren't any more prominent than in any of their other albums. The album reminds me more of Highly Refined Pirates than the last two...which is a good thing. It's definitely not as playful or complex, but it has a more lively energy than Planet of Ice, that's for sure. I think I'll be enjoying this album. My one complaint is that the lyrics are a bit juvenile. They were never the most mature band out there, but on the debut there was humor along with it. Now, it's a more serious tone but still the mind of a teenager/young college student. Planet of Ice also had a more serious tone (along with the more serious-sounding music, part of what didn't appeal to me about it when compared to the first 2 albums) but the lyrical content didn't seem as cheesy. __________________ last.fm \| my collection on RYM \| vinyl instagram @allthatyouseeandhear I'd love to see your signature/links too, but the huge and obnoxious ones have caused me to block all signatures.

05-31-2010, 11:12 PM	#46 (permalink)
Thrice أمهاتك[وهور]Aura Euphoria Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Florida/Buffalo/CT Posts: 2,077	I've given it a listen twice intently and once just hearing it. So far, it is not up to par with my expectations, therefore not so enjoyable to me. I'll try and let it grow on me, but I don't see much of a point when I can listen to something better by them. __________________ Lew Harrison, who looked like an anarchist with his red eyes and fierce black beard, had been writing furiously in one corner of the room. "That's good—happiness by the kilowatt," he said. "Buy your happiness the way you buy light."

05-31-2010, 11:48 PM	#47 (permalink)
Laces Out Dan! I love Puck Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: British Columbia Posts: 4,614	Yeaaa, I think its their least impressive album so far...kinda boring compared to what Im used to..Im hoping its gonna be a grower. __________________ We are entirely smooth, We admit to the truth, We are the best at what we do.

06-01-2010, 02:58 AM	#48 (permalink)
Seltzer Fish in the percolator! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hobbit Land NZ Posts: 2,870	I'm listening to a few songs from Omni on the tube now and I can see what you guys mean... it is a little flat sounding but I do like My Time. I think I'll reserve judgement until I've heard it all a couple of times. __________________ In the Court of King Crimson \| Last.fm \| RYM

05-04-2010, 10:17 AM	#41 (permalink)
3sAnd7s Groupie Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 31	New album is out today.

05-27-2010, 03:52 PM	#45 (permalink)
Flock Of Bagels Groupie Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Village baby! Posts: 3	I had no idea who Minus The Bear was until Rich Russo announced them on his show (Anything, Anything on 101.9 WRXP) here in New York a few weeks ago, when he announced they were having a surprise show here the next night, and tickets were to go on sale the next morning (Monday, his show is Sunday nights 9-11). This is like a week after he announced a surprise Foxboro Hot Tubs show (which is, ahem, NOT Green Day), anyone who lives in NYC should check out Rich's show. But yeah, I was ready to go at 9AM and was lucky enough to score a ticket to see them that night at Bowery Electric. And now, what can I say? I'm a fan. I can't stop listening to My Time and I can't wait to see them again!

06-09-2010, 06:27 PM	#49 (permalink)
bpn Groupie Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 29	This band is so underrated. I love them. Planet Of Ice is superb. Their new album is pretty good as well.

06-10-2010, 09:01 AM	#50 (permalink)
duga MB quadrant's JM Vincent Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3,762	I just realized I have a couple albums of theirs downloaded on my ipod, but I never actually listened to them. They have been there a while, too... I'm giving Highly Refined Pirates a spin and I have to say...not bad so far. __________________ Confusion will be my epitaph...