| Minus The Bear Into The Mirror EP |
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 | Tracklist:
1.) Into The Mirror (5:17)
2.) Broken China (5:38)
Release Date: 10/27/2009 | |
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On 2 Lists
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| Summary: This short and sweet EP, while only two songs long, shows the boys from Seattle at the top of their game. The new album should be great. |
2 of 2 thought this review was well written
Minus the Bear have always been sexy. Ever since their debut in 2001, Jake Snider and co. have been churning out solid album after solid album. Their stoner indie rock gives off a great vibe, one with wailing guitars, some soulful vocals, and a somewhat playful attitude (some song titles off of Highly Refined Pirates were quotes from Starship Troopers). Planet Of Ice showed a slightly more progressive approach, leaning towards some unconventional songwriting ('Lotus') while still maintaing a catchy, seductive energy, thus making their strongest release to date. Their new EP, Into The Mirror shows the band expanding upon what made Planet Of Ice so great with catchy synths, awesome guitar parts, and ethereal lyrics. A stoner rock epic is not beyond them.
Both songs on "Into The Mirror" are a great addition to Minus the Bear's library. The title track starts smooth and never hits a bump in the road. The guitars are top notch again, with Dave Knudson's bluesy wails that sounds almost all over the place at first, but eventually becomes the focal point of the song. Snider's singing is fine, even if a little repetitive at times. The female vocal interlude (sung by Rachel Flotard of Visqueen) in the middle is a nice touch and adds a little variety to Minus the Bear's weakest attribute. The lyrics, while not exactly poetic, fit with the music well with lines like "the man on the couch in the blue room, with everyone stoned and talking at once". Everything here points to a night on the town, looking up into the sky with your lover and soaking it all in.
As solid as 'Into the Mirror' is, the song that shows further progression of their sound from Planet Of Ice has to be 'Broken China'. Everything Minus the Bear does well is amplified in this song, ending with an odd outro similar to 'Lotus' in structure. This is the song that is probably most representative of the new album. The change in guitar in the beginning verse is fantastic, and the chorus is about as close as you're going to get to headbanging to a Minus the Bear song.
All in all, this short and sweet EP doesn't offer much new, but it is a great middle ground between what is sure to be their two best albums. It has this great energy to it and shows these boys from Seattle are willing to explore, which is always a great thing. The vocals aren't too interesting (void Flotard's part) but the music more than makes up for it. Anybody looking for a slice of top notch Minus the Bear and absolutely can't wait for the new album, check this out.
3.8/5
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Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
Finally got around to writing my first review. Kinda nervous but I hope you all enjoy reading it. Thank you.
Digging: Modest Mouse - The Moon & Antarctica | | |
very good for your first review. Try out a full-length now that you've got the idea.
Digging: Porcupine Tree - Stupid Dream
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Nice- short review fits the EP length, this new album is gonna be fucking amazing.
Digging: Maths - Descent
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Pretty good first review, I need to hear the other song off this.
Digging: The Red Chord - Fed Through the Teeth Machine
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Can you really call 2 songs that add up to ~10min an EP?
Digging: Deadmau5 - For Lack Of A Better Name
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It's a single. Good job doing a review for two songs, I couldn't come up with that much for two songs haha.
Digging: Boredoms - Vision Creation Newsun
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Ah, makes a bit more sense
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Sick review, need to check this out. Never really thought of them as stoner rock though.
Digging: Cast Spells - Bright Works and Baton
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
to each his own man
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Jake sings about smokin bongs and being high, but ionno, Stoner Rock has a QOTSA connotation that doesnt fit with MtB.
good review, these songs rule.
Digging: Do Make Say Think - Other Truths
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
I'd put them more in a progressive/indie rock than anything
Yeah EP rules
Digging: Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures | | | Album Rating: 4.5
Minus the Bear have always been sexy.
nuff said
Digging: Maps and Atlases - Tree, Swallows, Houses | | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
i tend to smoke when i'm listening to these guys so that might be it. thanks for the feedback.
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These make me excited for the new CD
Digging: Off Minor - Some Blood
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
I never like to hype myself up for releases...but their next album will be RIDICULOUS!!!
Nice first review!
Digging: Botch - American Nervoso | | | Album Rating: 4
Sexxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Digging: Sole and the Skyrider Band - Plastique | | |
digging both of these songs
Digging: The Chasm - Farseeing the Paranormal Abysm
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
So excited for the new cd, both of the songs own.
Digging: Deas Vail - Birds & Cages | | | Album Rating: 4
When is the new cd scheduled to be released? Anyone know?
Digging: Minus The Bear - Into The Mirror EP | | | Album Rating: 4
wont be released till 2010, but even though it's a long wait, it will be well worth it. It's safe to say that the next album will be nothing short of amazing. Hell, these guys can play better drunk than half of the bands out there today.
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