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| 4.0 excellent | Nick Greer EMERITUS | August 15th 07 |
Minus the Bear's Planet of Ice is an unwelcome yet surpringly impressive departure from their patented hammer-on clean tone style. Here, the guitar riffs are not repeated as background music but are much more of a driving force in the songwriting. The synth is a presence as well and make the songs feel like prog anthems, big guitar and all, instead of sensitive indie songs. There are throwback moments, but most of this album is inventive and new. I like the old Minus the Bear and I like the new Minus the Bear. If only they could combine the emotion and songwriting of the old with the progression and production of the new; then we'd have something a classic.
4 Bumps | Bump |
| 5.0 classic | Waior | January 6th 10 |
Tranquil and frantic all at once, Planet Of Ice utilizes every trick in the Minus the Bear book of awesome - it has outlandish freakout guitar solos, ambient and soothing interludes and plenty of sex (no euphemisms here, I mean that quite literally). All of Minus the Bear's earlier work hinted that a classic album was not a novel concept for the Seattle band - but now, the concept has been realized, Planet of Ice is absolutely perfect.
3 Bumps | Bump |
| 5.0 classic | Progmaster85 | December 10th 09 |
This album means so much to me. When I first arrived at sputnikmusic, I was a metalhead, eager to learn more about music and eager to experience different genres. While still a metalhead, I began to explore other genres; such as Jazz, soft rock, post-rock and finally indie. After listening to about 4 or 5 indie albums, I wasn't sure the genre was for me, but Minus the Bear changed my opinion. The use of odd sounds, synths and vibrations create a quirky and beautiful atmosphere for the verses and choruses to easily fall into a perfect place. The guitar work is pretty intricate, especially for indie, and is handled tastefully, effortlessly and flawlessly. Every riff is engaging and every giant amalgamation of synth and guitar never becomes tiresome or "too much". There is not a weak track to be found. The album is simply marvelous in every way and has opened up a new musical horizon for me to venture into. It was the first album in this genre that I truly loved, and I will always appreciate it's beauty. This is probably my favorite'indie' album of all time, though Minus the Bear is more math/alternative rock than indie. But whatever, Planet of Ice owns life.
3 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | Scott Smith | May 24th 08 |
Planet of Ice by, Minus the Bear is a remarkable effort and jump from their previous full length Menos El Oso.
Trading in their happy go lucky riffs in for some darker, ambiant tones MtB have brought their vison to ears. Throwin Shapes and Knights will keep the old listeners around with their catchy ear candy, but songs such as Lotus and Double Vision Quest contain a more prog sound with Lotus clocking in as one of their longest songs to date.
There is some wrong though with this album, the songs Knights is just another MtB song, the only thing that saves it is the half way point when the guitars start to soar. Throwin' Shapes also should of just been on Menos El Oso, just re-hashed mateiral.
All and all though this is a very nice improvement for the boys in MtB and I cannot wait to hear their next album concieved.
2 Bumps | Bump |
| 5.0 classic | Adrian Hertzberg CONTRIBUTOR | May 8th 09 |
I think I owe some of my intense love of this album to the circumstances under which I went through my first phase of listening to it. My love for music was growing at a rapid pace: I was exiting the "classic-rock purist" period of my life. I was hanging around with my first real "indie-kid" friend (ladys and gentlemen, jash13) and he was blowing my mind with tonnes of music recs (My Bloody Valentine, Modest Mouse, Radiohead, GY!BE, Neutral Milk Hotel to name but a few of the many essentials I was missing at the time). I was in my "get-stoned-listen-to-complete-albums" phase (who am I kidding, like I've left that). And lastly, I had just gotten the most bitchin', high-tech, expensive, noise-cancellation headphones as a Christmas present. All of these combined to form the perfect atmosphere to lisen to Minus the Bear. This album blew (and continues to blow...haha) my mind. It's catchy and pop-y in some respects, but musically diverse and intriguing. As a guitar-player who was boxed into the pentatonic mode of riffing and soloing, this album did wonders for my playing. Each time I listen to this album, I'm taken away to a better place. One where music is the wine that fills the empty cup of silence.
I love this album. And while I'm sure I've overblown it quite a bit (like I said, it may be that the circumstances made the music for me), this is a fantastic album and worthy of a full listen from anybody who is a fan of music, or for that matter, anybody alive.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | XingKing | December 9th 12 |
Maturing considerably from Menos El Oso, Planet of Ice finds Minus the Bear at their absolute peak in terms of song craftsmanship. The songs are still about sex and the guitars still consist of gratuitous finger tapping, but there is a new found confidence in the band. Minus the Bear leaves behind much of their indie sound with the quirky song titles and relaxed nature in favor of focused structure and driving rhythms. Unfortunately, the bands two following releases bear absolutely no resemblance to this brief glimpse at maturity instead opting to become a pop band with the occasional complexities, but this album is a fine testament to what could have been. "What have you done?"
Bump |
| 0.0 | For Meatplow | May 7th 10 |
Planet of Ice is an album that shows Minus The Bear's complexity so well-integrated within their sound that no indie-pop sensibilities are lost. It plays like languid pop, but it's probably written in six flats.
Bump |
| 4.5 superb | NeutralThunder12 | April 14th 10 |
Minus the Bear is a quirky little band that has undergone many stylistic changes throughout their impressive career. When they debuted their first full length, "High Refined Pirates", they established themselves as an indie rock/math rock outfit. However, with their next less appealing, and less fun effort "Menos El Oso" they had stepped up the studio electronics, toned down the relentless guitar tapping, but the album was too inconsistent (though still excellent overall) to match up to Pirates. Each record had their advantages. "Planet of Ice", the first indie album I ever loved, combines the fun and energy that "Pirates" had, with the more refined melodies and diversity of "Menos", while adding a new seriousness and a new groove. The electronics and diveristy in type of digital effects used perfectly complements the outstanding songwriting and vocals. This is a gorgeous record, and it has a shitload of replay value.
Bump |
| 0.0 | djejew | June 19th 09 |
This is what Menos el Oso would have sounded like if every song were awesome. Nearly everysong drags you in and mesmerizes you with intricate guitar parts and damn fine pedal work. "Lotus" walks on the border of Pink Floyd while "Dr. L'Ling" pulls you into the tension the lyrics describe. This is a band playing their 'A' game and it works.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | Brien C. Stevenson | June 17th 09 |
Arguably the bands magnum opus, Planet of Ice further expands on the band's musical stylings. The album is a catchy, fun listen, but never loses the same quirky sense of musicianship these guys seem to possess. After a release like this, the mark has been set high by these guys for a follow-up, but it sounds like they're probably up to the task.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | camdizzle | December 29th 07 |
I was a little surprised to see the track-listing for Planet of Ice had no silly song titles like older gems such as "Hey! Is that a Ninja up There?" or "Monkey!!! Knife!!! Fight!!!" The song titles weren't the only thing that had changed about Minus the Bear. The album's sound is noticeably more solemn, mature, and (dare I say) cold compared to it's older, more playful stuff. Planet of Ice really is the perfect way to describe the new sound. The opening track [Burying Luck] starts the album off with a song about watching as some guy takes his luck, his money, and his girl and the hopelessness of the situation. Most of the album follows this sort of theme throughout: the shock of realizing your best years are gone (cross the border man), replaced by a cold, patterned existence. Though much different, and much more solemn, I feel it is a much more developed sound musically. Planet of Ice seems to trade it's signature upbeat tunes with its unique tapping style guitars for much more developed, somewhat progressive, sounds. The heavier emphasis on the synthesizer and keyboards opens up many new doors musically for the band, and the result is some of the best song-writing they've ever produced. I would have to say this is already my favorite Minus the Bear album.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | kmace | April 27th 13 |
| 3.5 great | hikki | April 17th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | paulxc | April 15th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Chris | April 13th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Pox | March 19th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | dobs | March 15th 13 |
| 5.0 classic | Weedon | March 13th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | br1nk | March 11th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | CWBrown | February 25th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | Ryan | February 22nd 13 |
| 4.5 superb | Jamper | February 21st 13 |
| 3.5 great | Eswin17 | February 10th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | G.M.B. | February 9th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | Maxwell | January 26th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | Zamora | January 26th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | kb36 | January 22nd 13 |
| 4.5 superb | Ian | January 13th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | juninja | December 18th 12 |
| 3.5 great | urzadek | December 17th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | toxin | December 10th 12 |
| 5.0 classic | mybeard | December 9th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | Tyler | November 19th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Connor. | October 29th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Blump | October 18th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | Catvsha | October 11th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | Flutt | October 9th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | awal16 | October 4th 12 |
| 5.0 classic | lerem | October 1st 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | axc1080 | September 25th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | Nate | August 29th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | Mike C | August 28th 12 |
| 5.0 classic | ANJ45 | August 28th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | aus1o | August 24th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | pjmoose | August 4th 12 |
| 3.5 great | Feels | July 25th 12 |
| 3.5 great | Mythr | June 20th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | akimbo | June 18th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Maniac | May 21st 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Tokamak | April 17th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Thomas | April 5th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | jg777 | March 28th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | Zion | March 3rd 12 |
| 3.5 great | Derek | March 2nd 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | brollin | February 27th 12 |
| 3.5 great | Phil M. | February 13th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Aberjam | February 11th 12 |
| 3.5 great | mttgry | January 31st 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Pipt | January 14th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | Dev518 | January 4th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | uman32 | January 3rd 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Kaozz16 | December 25th 11 |
| 3.5 great | Mojito | December 14th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | bloc | November 16th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Strayver | November 13th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Jerbz | November 12th 11 |
| 3.0 good | bry11 | September 27th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | aflak7 | September 4th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | BugZoid | August 16th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | idk | August 7th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | CoConi | August 5th 11 |
| 3.5 great | hughes | July 24th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | kojpl | June 25th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | elry2k | May 27th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | iGuter | May 23rd 11 |
| 3.5 great | Ire | May 1st 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | BL182 | April 23rd 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | NateT | April 21st 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | shev | April 13th 11 |
| 5.0 classic | thecwo | April 3rd 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | iRox | March 28th 11 |
| 3.5 great | Asator | March 25th 11 |
| 3.5 great | aahop | March 24th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | Xzaeon | March 21st 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Narshh | March 18th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | patod92 | March 14th 11 |
| 3.5 great | rooby | March 13th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Aziz CONTRIBUTOR | March 9th 11 |
| 3.5 great | GLaDOS | March 8th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | perlox | March 4th 11 |
| 5.0 classic | tehaj1 | March 2nd 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Porklips | February 28th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | uberajnn | February 27th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Remer17 | February 18th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | TREO5 | February 14th 11 |
| 3.5 great | Groink | February 14th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Rumulox | February 8th 11 |
| 3.5 great | batcat | February 6th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Rowdy | January 14th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | fund it | December 31st 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Kronzo | December 26th 10 |
| 2.5 average | Frankie | December 26th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Klichty | December 26th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | Rees | December 23rd 10 |
| 4.5 superb | ltsmash | December 21st 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Antics | December 13th 10 |
| 5.0 classic | c0ffee | December 9th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | Quinn | December 8th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Opsonyn | December 6th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | jdladeur | November 24th 10 |
| 3.5 great | P2008J | November 19th 10 |
| 3.0 good | seifer | November 8th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | Dan H. | November 1st 10 |
| 3.0 good | Owen | November 1st 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | ot63 | October 26th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | TheStig | October 5th 10 |
| 5.0 classic | bloodah | September 4th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Thane | September 3rd 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | ZBJE | August 28th 10 |
| 5.0 classic | dart200 | August 19th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | Glenn | August 8th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | BG | August 6th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Gustavo | July 28th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | kfresha | July 24th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | jazack | July 20th 10 |
| 3.5 great | becdar | July 19th 10 |
| 3.0 good | ZL0R | July 4th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | PieRye | June 25th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | dhxp45 | June 24th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Wieland | June 18th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | J. | June 13th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | wachooo | June 12th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Paul W | June 11th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | mvood | June 9th 10 |
| 3.5 great | Thef | May 25th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Bill | May 25th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Kleur | May 18th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | po0ty | May 15th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | Kanyon | May 14th 10 |
| 3.5 great | Yordy | May 7th 10 |
| 2.5 average | Pneuma | May 6th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | focksy | May 5th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Rudy K. STAFF | May 5th 10 |
| 5.0 classic | Tobi | April 29th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Photon | April 27th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | HeavyB | April 25th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Jordan | April 25th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Ramos29 | April 21st 10 |
| 3.5 great | John K | April 21st 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Chunsak | April 12th 10 |
| 2.0 poor | ziroth | April 10th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | Valle | April 4th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | ABR157 | March 28th 10 |
| 5.0 classic | dcha | March 17th 10 |
| 3.0 good | C.F. | March 14th 10 |
| 5.0 classic | zoso33 | March 5th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Lexnard | March 4th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | Caged | March 1st 10 |
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| 4.5 superb | Toy | February 20th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | eternium | February 12th 10 |
| 5.0 classic | Pietest | February 5th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | 1monk | January 30th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Moraff | January 22nd 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | sp4585 | January 9th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Calum | January 3rd 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Ali | December 30th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | James | December 21st 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | rthomps6 | December 11th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | chaos17 | December 9th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Jips | November 3rd 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Motiv3 | October 31st 09 |
| 4.5 superb | Matt | October 30th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | Marver | October 17th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | TEM | October 16th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | Ricven | October 14th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Cal9745 | October 1st 09 |
| 3.5 great | Downes | September 25th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | kfilly20 | September 13th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | Hiyruu | September 11th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Amaya | September 9th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Stones99 | September 6th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Choco19 | August 21st 09 |
| 3.5 great | drew | August 18th 09 |
| 3.5 great | alex | August 12th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | DayMan | August 3rd 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Mixhail | July 27th 09 |
| 5.0 classic | beasdd | July 11th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | Comj | June 29th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | pettri | June 3rd 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | celtic | May 23rd 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Tom | May 17th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | GBJ | May 14th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Chris | May 7th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | idbz | May 6th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Spence | April 22nd 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Smiley | April 3rd 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | alexxre | February 25th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | mazurov | February 17th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | omgbees | February 2nd 09 |
| 4.5 superb | nkn3390 | January 30th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | MrGlass | January 29th 09 |
| 3.5 great | slan | January 19th 09 |
| 3.5 great | Yotimi | December 24th 08 |
| 5.0 classic | AlKal | December 21st 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | theAlien | December 15th 08 |
| 3.0 good | Bill | November 12th 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | soma | October 29th 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | dukes | October 23rd 08 |
| 4.5 superb | Flyboy | October 18th 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | dav4550 | October 15th 08 |
| 4.5 superb | yty | October 6th 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | cjacob6 | September 22nd 08 |
| 4.5 superb | ares | September 11th 08 |
| 3.5 great | Ashik | September 6th 08 |
| 4.5 superb | Halcyon | September 4th 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | 6604 | September 3rd 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | dieto | August 31st 08 |
| 3.0 good | Swick | August 5th 08 |
| 4.5 superb | Conor | August 3rd 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | Chasta5 | July 22nd 08 |
| 3.0 good | Bhima | July 22nd 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | dagashi | June 25th 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | sgrevs | June 22nd 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | polinab | June 12th 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | Sponer | June 8th 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | corb | June 5th 08 |
| 3.0 good | Adam | May 23rd 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | KjD | May 22nd 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | Smooz | May 21st 08 |
| 2.5 average | RedSky | May 15th 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | iganja | May 1st 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | Kiran EMERITUS | April 29th 08 |
| 3.5 great | lewser | April 16th 08 |
| 3.5 great | Jdill | April 16th 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | Riziger | March 21st 08 |
| 3.5 great | JPAC | March 15th 08 |
| 3.5 great | thetod | February 26th 08 |
| 1.0 awful | Stuff | February 25th 08 |
| 3.5 great | Keelan H. EMERITUS | February 5th 08 |
| 2.5 average | theBFG | January 29th 08 |
| 4.5 superb | BB28 | January 22nd 08 |
| 4.5 superb | mana20 | January 18th 08 |
| 4.5 superb | UBIK | January 7th 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | kromml | January 2nd 08 |
| 4.0 excellent | Kane | December 28th 07 |
| 4.0 excellent | aikdog | December 28th 07 |
| 4.0 excellent | tom79 | December 17th 07 |
| 3.5 great | donovr | December 11th 07 |
| 3.5 great | Sleepy | November 10th 07 |
| 4.0 excellent | yohnav | October 31st 07 |
| 4.0 excellent | tuff | October 30th 07 |
| 4.0 excellent | Voodoo | October 22nd 07 |
| 4.0 excellent | Theo H. | October 15th 07 |
| 4.0 excellent | yeahboi | October 13th 07 |
| 4.0 excellent | CeeBone | October 12th 07 |
| 4.0 excellent | bpkybe | October 10th 07 |
| 4.5 superb | Rob | October 5th 07 |
| 3.5 great | zach | September 26th 07 |
| 4.0 excellent | MeowMeow | September 19th 07 |
| 4.5 superb | dro | September 15th 07 |
| 4.5 superb | Shivan | September 1st 07 |
| 4.5 superb | Xerces | August 30th 07 |
| 4.0 excellent | Goku | August 29th 07 |
| 4.5 superb | juhmp | August 22nd 07 |
| 4.0 excellent | Skyler | August 21st 07 |
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