Sound Salvation Army

I reviewed the last Minus the Bear album back in the infancy of this website. I’d been a fan for a number of years and while my take on it was overly positive, there were some elements that suggested the wind might be shifting in terms of the band’s sound. Considering most of that had to do with a more proggy, sprawling sound (and some downright sexy jams) it should be interesting to see if they’ve continued to follow that thread.

Tomorrow marks the release of their latest record, Omni. The band has a new label, Dangerbird. While I’m not terribly familiar with their previous signings, they’ve been snatching up a few bands lately that have caught my attention (in addition to putting out the first Silversun Pickups album, they’ve also signed Hot Hot Heat and the Dears). The one advance review that I’ve read suggested that it was a bit of a lackluster affair, but I guess we’ll find out for ourselves soon enough.

The folks at Dangerbird have been kind enough to pass along a full stream of the record for those who simply can’t wait another 24 hours. Listen below via Soundcloud and check back later for a full review.

OMNI by MinustheBear
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In other streaming news today, Halifax’s Wintersleep (another site favourite) will be streaming their new album in it’s entirety starting tonight. You should be able to find it right on the front page of their website. Having been a HUGE fan since their first record, I’m extremely excited to hear the new material and find out what their next progression will look like.

Unfortunately, it looks like they’ll be spending the summer touring the balls off of Europe and the U.S. I’m sure they’ll find their way to this neck of the woods eventually; it’ll just give the kids in Regina with the skinny jeans more time to memorize the lyrics.

 

 Wintersleep - Dead Letter & the Infinite Yes [4:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Minus the Bear - Knights [3:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Pat entries album streams, Canadian content, Dangerbird Records, indie rock, Minus The Bear, prog rock, Wintersleep

Some pretty sad news broke late last week: one of new music’s most important labels has apparently hit some very tough times. Chicago’s Touch & Go Records is not only cutting out new releases entirely for an indefinite period of time, they’re also closing their valued distribution arm. As a feature on Pitchfork outlines, that could have devastating results for smaller (but still excellent) labels like Merge, Drag City, Jade Tree, and Suicide Squeeze.

Not only does that mean it could be significantly harder to find releases by amazing artists like Minus The Bear, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, and Spoon (among countless others) on those labels that heavily rely on the distro arm, but it means a label that has literally changed the face of modern music will no longer be bringing us brave new sounds.

It’s so hard to imagine a world without seminal albums from bands like Slint, Big Black, the Jesus Lizard, Pinback, TV On The Radio, Shellac, and the Mekons. There are a lot of labels that boast impressive rosters and classic albums, but I would wager that there hasn’t been one so cutting edge and ahead-of-its-time in decades.

As a tribute to Touch & Go I’ll be playing tracks from some of my favourite releases on the label this Thursday morning from 7:00 to 8:00am. Apologies in advance to the early risers that may not be stoked to hear Necros first thing in the morning, but I promise it’ll be over quickly.

 

 Big Black - He's A Whore [2:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Calexico - Sunken Waltz [2:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Slint - Good Morning Captain: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Listen in at CJTR’s website Thursday morning and please, please, please, give some of your money to Touch & Go. Fuck the recession!

Pat entries Big Black, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Drag City, Jade Tree, Jesus Lizard, Mekons, Merge, Minus The Bear, Pinback, Shellac, Slint, Sound Salvation Army, Spoon, Suicide Squeeze, Touch & Go Records, TV On The Radio

Minus The Bear’s last album, Menos el Oso, paired with their blistering live show converted my common-law wife and I into enormous boosters of the band. The sampled and looped guitar figures that make up the foundation of most of the songs on the album are inventive, a bit trippy, and extremely engaging. This is truly one of the last great guitar bands out there today.

Like their first two albums, their newly-released 2xLP Planet of Ice is also an adventurous listen. I say 2xLP not because I like sounding like/being a vinyl snob (which I am and do) but because this album didn’t really connect with me digitally. It seemed a little distant and cold until I put on the gorgeously packaged vinyl release (which sold out the first pressing even before the release date).

It is for the most part a characteristically fantastic effort by one of “indie rock’s” most unique, consistent, and imaginative bands. The only big stumble is sex-jam “White Mystery,” which is musically down-tempo and hampered by an extremely unfortunate lyric or two. The worst part is that its immediate predecessor is “Knights,” a great track in the glitch-rock style of Menos el Oso. I’ve tried to get past it, but “White Mystery” is a bit of a blight on an otherwise gorgeous album.

But a big of a stumble as it is (and many fans of the record disagree with me on that song), the second LP makes up for it. The whole sound just gels perfectly –- “When We Escape” and “Double Vision Quest” are on par with the best from their previous releases, bringing some quality riffage while distancing itself from the glitchy, looped, and processed guitar figures that marked Menos (and also made it completely unique). The nine-minute closer, “Lotus,” jams so hard you could spread it on toast. Face-melting solos and more subtle guitar wizardry than most bands command in a lifetime is crammed into that holy hell of a track.

Planet of Ice as a title might prove a bit disingenuous – the sounds contained within are incredibly warm and human, despite relying heavily on processed guitars and ethereal keys. A vastly enjoyable listen.

 

 Knights [3:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 When We Escape [4:04m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Electric Rainbow (b-side) [3:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Minus the Bear music can be purchased from:
iTunes: lots here
Planet Of Ice vinyl: from Vinyl Collective (very few left available)
Suicide Squeeze: The band’s label offers a complete discography through their site.

Pat entries indie rock, Minus The Bear, pop rock