Aug 12
26
USA: Minus the Bear
Minus the Bear is an indie band from Seattle, Washington that I’d like to share with everyone. They’re not new and have been recording for over ten years, but they continue to improve with each new CD including their newest, Infinity Overhead. Here is a track from that album, to be released on August 28th.
Though the sound is relaxed, there’s a lot going on in each of their songs. I’ll describe it as complex layers on top of straightforward songs. Per their allmusic biography,
Though the song titles may lead one to believe that they’re a novelty act, Minus the Bear provides polished, shrewdly arranged songs. Finger-tapped guitar riffs mixed with catchy melodies and unexpected time changes keep listeners interested and entertained.
Their first successful album was 2005′s Menos el Oso. This song, Pachuca Sunrise, has a Death Cab for Cutie vibe to it that I like.
In 2007 Minus the Bear released Planet of Ice, with the same layered sound as Menos el Oso but with better musicianship and more complexity and flourishes. This song is called White Mystery.
Their last release was 2010′s Omni where they pushed the electronica part of their sound, especially with this song, My Time.
What I like most about Minus the Bear is that they fit in many categories yet manage to float above all of them. There’s indie, progressive, synth, electronica, layered guitar riffs, drum machines, you name it. They’re certainly unique!
