Review Summary: Islands isn't 'Folk-Pop Lite'- it has a depth, intensity and beauty that will lift your heart and touch your soul. The album of the year so far.
Bear's Den have come a long way in two short years. Their progress towards the release of their first LP, Islands, has been steady, but calculated. Three EP's- and the recent critically acclaimed single, Elysium- have been accompanied by extensive touring in Europe and the USA, allowing the band to steadily hone their craft and build their audience. It seems hardly any time at all since they were selling potato printed EP's to crowds of 50 in the Slaughtered Lamb Public House, London; but they won't be heading back there in a hurry.
Those new to the band will undoubtedly be looking for a comparison. The easy- and undoubtedly most used- answer would probably be Mumford and Sons, and indeed Bear's Den have supported Mumford so might be familiar to their audience, but it is a comparison that does no justice to either band. Islands isn't 'Folk-Pop Lite'- it has a depth, intensity and beauty that will lift your heart and touch your soul from track one to track ten. It may also leave you feeling rather wrung-out; there is no frippery here, rather a collection of serious, intense yet beautiful music that will penetrate your every pore.
There are songs here that their existing audience will recognise. Indeed, with the exception of The Love We Stole, Magdalene and Think Of England everything here has been available in some format or another previously. It's a shame that they didn't increase the ten tracks to twelve and include old favourites Sophie and Don't Let The Sun Steal You Away, but that's a churlish complaint and shouldn't detract from the quality on offer. That said, spend time tracking down these two; it'll be a worthwhile search.
Islands is an album which you can happily download to your phone safe in the knowledge that you'll not have to fumble for a forward button. There are no fillers. From the opening bars of Agape to the last notes of Bad Blood you'll be entranced, uplifted and perhaps moved to tears, but you'll never want it to stop. The lyrics are clever, the harmonies exceptional, and the craft never less than impressive. Each member of the band can sing, each can play their instruments to perfection- and indeed, if you've ever seen them live you'll know that they can play each others instruments too. You'll be able to see them live shortly- their US tour starts next week and they'll be back in Europe in the new year-and it's an experience you should try not to miss.
There is but one criticism. This is an album which is undoubtedly radio-friendly (though perhaps too short of frivolity to fit on your run of the mill commercial station). Two of the best tracks- When You Break and Bad Blood- contain profanity that will never make it past the censor. Now it's easy to understand why the word is used (and it is the same word, both times)- certainly on the latter track it fits perfectly- but for a new band trying to attain success to block two of their best songs from being broadcast when a small tweak would have made no difference to the sound or the meaning seems a little silly and unnecessary.
Bear's Den are pioneers of musical alchemy. In their hands songs of loss and despair become moments of joy and rare beauty. It would be a cynical audience who would fail to be uplifted by such talent. Without doubt, the album of the year so far; and it'll take something earth-shatteringly magnificent during the remaining two months if that tab is to be passed on to another.
