Minus the Bear
Planet of Ice
Suicide Squeeze CD
Minus the Bear has yet to disappoint.
Ok, so it’s nothing they haven’t crafted before, but Planet of Ice is one damn fine release. I don’t mind the same tried and tested formula because it’s a method that works. As a long time Minus the Bear fan, I’ve consumed countless hours getting lost in the frosty sounds this band has produced. Planet of Ice may just be my favorite Minus the Bear album to date, yeah, it’s that damn good.
Planet of Ice is rhythmic, moving, and invigoratingly brisk. The melodies are hard to break free from and after a few spins I’ve found myself enjoying this album even more than their last release, the laidback Menos el Oso which I highly enjoyed. The signature fluttering guitar picks, the cooling electronics, and the magnetic vocals are still present. If you’ve been a fan of Minus the Bear then this is a no-brainer. Planet of Ice is just another release you’ll get lost in for hours and hours on end. Plus its chilly ear-numbing melodies are perfect for the upcoming autumn season, but it in the meantime it will assist in applying a cooling aural relief from the hot humid summer.
The only track on Planet of Ice that didn’t keep my attention was the eight-minute long closer, “Lotus.” It’s an adventurous track that stumbles on and off the old beaten path…but it just didn’t really lead me anywhere. Minus the Bear are the masters of restraint, and they wait for the most opportune moment to really let the rock explode. “Burying Luck,” “Knights,” “Dr. L’Ling,” and “Throwin’ Shapes” are just a few gems you’ll find nestled on this glacial album. Honestly, you have any doubts Planet of Ice would be a less than par sounding release? I didn’t think so. Good stuff as usual.
by Fake Train
|
