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Minus the Bear – Menos El Oso
When Minus the Bear released their debut LP ‘Highly Refined Pirates’ things looked so good for them it was untrue. Formed in the ashes of math-metal revolutionaries Botch, Minus the Bear just kept getting better with their releases. ‘Highly Refined Pirates’ itself was a work of art, and proved to be one of the best indie/alt. rock albums of the new millennia thanks to its fantastic, infectious vocals provided by Jake Snider, and its stunning technical guitar useage that sounded as technical as Botch, but much easier to listen to.
Now it seems every time I hype a previous album like that in a review, its bound to mean that the album itself is disappointing. Sadly, this is mostly true. ‘Menos El Oso’ (Minus the Bear in Spanish) is for the most part a considerably bland affair that doesn’t really go anywhere in its 11 tracks and 45 minute duration. Whereas the ‘They make Beer Commercials like this” E.P had much more variation, influence of their earlier sound and was obviously a lot shorter, this takes the general surface sound of that E.P and sprawls it out into a whole album. It is on the face of it, an utter drone of what sounds like a band that has been surfing far too much and has relaxed all the energy out of a once extremely refreshing and enjoyable sound. Worse still is the fact that Jake Snider’s vocals now are fairly monotonous and has been over produced until it sounds generic.
But this is all a tad harsh. The fact is, there are still some fantastic lyrics and some very technical guitar lines to appreciate here. Opener ‘The Game Needed Me’ may sound very obscure, but the guitar work and lyrics that accompany it are still just as smart as their earlier work. And if you are in a very relaxed mood, say a Sunday afternoon when the sun is blasting out, this album is near-perfect. The difference is though, is that some ambient music like Dj Shadow is that it keeps you on your toes and interested, while relaxing you at the same time; it gives you something to enjoy while you chill out. All this album does is makes you relaxed to the point that you fall into a coma; there’s very little to keep you interested.
It’s a real shame, considering just how good their last album was, you expect a lot better from a band that showed the potential to become one of the biggest and best bands of our time. However this is just a drone from one end to the other, it really doesn’t go anywhere. But there’s still a lot left in this band and here’s hoping they can turn it around for album number 3.
Adam Turner-Heffer
| other reviews of this album |
StrizzMatik (4)
Painstakingly complex, layered, and completely chill, MTB's latest proper full-length is one of the ...
kevin234 (5)
Menos dazzles....
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If a CD comes out after you review it, it's normally going to be deleted...I won't do this time as it's only 24 hours, etc, but could you please just wait next time, unless you have an official promo company for some reason. Thanks.
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MED57: I do have an offical promo, since I work for http://www.dirtyzine.co.uk
but I realised my mistake just after my poted, I read it through and then though "shit, this aint meant to be up yet" sorry man, won't happen again.
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They Make Beer Commercials Like This really did give a false impression as to where this album would be. Shame it was what it was.
I just bumped both Minus the Bear reviews!
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Another consistently good album, although it seems overproduced. It seems like they're tapping into a new vein of stuff on this album, so I'm very interested to see where they'll go after the departure of their keys player.
Actually, today is his last show... *salutes*
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Feh. Crap review. This album rocks, you just need to actually listen to it. Drilling, Hooray, Pachuca Sunrise, and Memphis & 53rd are absolutely stunning. The atmosphere on this record is really really chill compared even to Highly Refined Pirates, but the songs are better written, better sung, and the guitar work is obviously insane. Headphones/driving album all the way, but I can't stop listening to it anyways. 4/5
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I'm not one to blow my own trumpet but I think it's safe to say that it's my opinion you don't agree with, as a review it's fine.
Still think it's dissapointing though.
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I agree with STFDood84.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
i agree, but little harse ey? pirates is a much better lp but this is still good music. "They mkae beer commercials" is by far the best. but i think that is a offically a LP. although its in a EP status with only 6 songs, i think it was released as a full length
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i think there all just as good...i go through cycles with them..and his is not a surfing movie is a pretty dynamic song...i give it a 5 along with the rest(and i think the lyrics are starting to get a little better)
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
I thought that this cd was awsome. It was jsut so chill and i loved the guitar work. Minus the Bear rock
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nevermindThis Message Edited On 04.13.07
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I think album is underrated, but i can also completely understand where the author is coming from and how he feels.
Evidence of a good review.
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mm, thanks, I need to listen to this again really, its been a while.
I was just horrified how they went from such a melodic, brilliantly vocal heavy band, to ultimately bored and robot sounding.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
"I think album is underrated, but i can also completely understand where the author is coming from and how he feels.
Evidence of a good review."
agreed well said lol
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
panucha sunrise and memphis and 53rd are the only songs i enjoyed from listening to this.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
This used to be my favourite MTB album but planet of ice is taking over.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
sure... this may not be quite as great as TMBCLS or Pirates or nowhere close to their latest POI, but it's still got some catchy decent tracks on it... im lon=vin the fix, hooray and pig war, but there's a bunch of good ones.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Wow this was a joke of a review and a pleasure to neg.
This album, along with the others, are amazing.
The Game Needed Me is one of my top 5 MTB songs.
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I dig this album, though it took me a while to get into.
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Is it just me or do they sound a bit like Dredg? Similar lyrical content (money) and kind of atmospheric tones? Maybe I'm retahhded.
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