EastScene

The seasons are changing faster than we know it, and now Summer is on the rising. What a better way to bring in the Summer weather than Minus The Bear’s new album OMNI which will be released in stores on Tuesday, May 4th 2010 with their new record label, Dangerbird Records. After their last record release, Planet of Ice, your left guessing what would they have in store for their fans next because of their drastic style change; here is your chance to find out!

The track “My Time” introduces you into the record, which after the repetitive percussion, your brought into a different sound to Minus the Bear. This sound isn’t something familiar to their former records, but rather them all combined together. It has a retro-modern beat, combined with the classic vocals of Jake Snider. The Summer breeze runs through as “Summer Angel” approaches, reminding you most of their record Menos El Oso with the higher pitch chords and mesmerizing rhythm. The unusual quality behind Minus the Bear is their ability to make you fall into their music, physically and mentally, as the lyrics “My summer angel keeps me on the run”, you are reminded of this attribute. The next track, “Secret Country”, will then go on to remind you of Planet of Ice with the increased amount of percussion and deeper but brilliant guitar riffs. The track “Into the Mirror” which was streamed on their MySpace page on October 9, 2010, had caught the attention of most fans. This is one that will show you the combination between the two former records, because of the not only percussion increase, deeper guitar riffs, but also the additional high pitch chords that were the highlight to Meno’s El Oso. “Into the Mirror” didn’t only remind you of vintage records, but vintage years of the 80’s with the use of a synthesized violin. And they didn’t only include a catchy chorus, but also a female vocalist by the name of Erin Passmore from the canadian band Sylvie. Let’s begin to rewind as “Animal Backwards” comes on, the unique percussion used most in this track was the rewinding of the guitar riffs creating a brilliant beat and electronic use. “Fooled By The Night” escorts you out of OMNI on a softer note, an intro that involves an organ effect, and chimes then builds up to a sexy melodic guitar riff which includes an acoustic rhythm in the background. “Fooled By The Night” has a very soft and also a very sinister feel, which leaves you wanting more.

Minus the Bear is obviously not afraid of change, and they show this in their last three albums all being completely different. Though this album I believe is a combination between the first two, it creates a more retro sound that you haven’t heard before. They are increasing their knowledge in their music, and their abilities, that is obvious throughout the records. I’ll always believe that Menos El Oso was their best album, but OMNI had covered the grey areas that they lacked in Planet of Ice. Many of Minus the Bear fans had not been fans to their album Planet of Ice, but they had introduced themselves to a new set a fans. Now, OMNI has come in and has the ability to gather the old, the former, and the new. The positives of this album is the fact that they still carry their unique qualities, and combined the attributes that both sets of fans enjoyed from their albums. And the negatives on OMNI were the fact that not all the tracks were able to grab your attention, and some are very similar to others, but the fact that Minus the Bear had the courage to make an album that every song was longer that 4 minutes shows how hard they worked on this record. Check out their album OMNI in stores this Tuesday! Also, Minus the Bear are currently out on tour around the U.S until May 29th 2010, for more details on dates and venues, read further or find out if their playing in your city on their MySpace page.

OMNI’s Album Review by Shannah Lauren

Best Tracks: Summer Angel, Excuses, Into the Mirror, and Animal Backwards.

May 5th 2010: Boston, Massachusetts @ Wilbur Theatre
May 6th 2010: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania @ Trocadero
May 7th 2010: Washington, Washington @ 9:30 Club
May 8th 2010: Richmond, Virginia @ The National
May 9th 2010: Charlotte, North Carolina @ The Fillmore Charlotte
May 10th 2010: Atlanta, Georgia @ Variety Playhouse
May 11th 2010: Fort Lauderdale, Florida @ Revolution
May 12th 2010: Tampa, Florida @ The Ritz Theatre
May 14th 2010: Houston, Texas @ House of Blues
May 15th 2010: Dallas, Texas @ Granada Theatre
May 16th 2010: Austin, Texas @ La Zona Rosa
May 18th 2010: Albuquerque, New Mexico @ Sunshine Theatre
May 19th 2010: Las Vegas, Nevada @ House of Blues
May 20th 2010: Los Angeles, California @ Mayan Theatre
May 21st 2010: Pomona, California @ Glass House
May 22nd 2010: San Diego, California @ SOMA
May 23rd 2010: Tempe, Arizona @ Marquee Theatre
May 26th 2010: San Francisco, California @ Regency Ballroom
May 27th 2010: Reno, Nevada @ Knitting Factory
May 28th 2010: Portland, Oregon @Roseland Theater
May 29th 2010: Quincy, Washington @ Sasquatch! MUSIC Festival (Sold Out)