Minus the Bear are a talented group of guys from Seattle who had previously carved out for themselves a bit of recognition for quirky song titles like, "Thanks for the Killer Game of Crisco Twister," lyrics about drinking and girls, and technically proficient prog-indie rock that showcased a unique finger tapping sound that made for some intriguing guitar melodies. Menos El Oso ("Minus the Bear" in Spanish) is clearly an attempt to shed the silliness that had previously been associated with the bands efforts while still keeping their unique sound intact.
Moving to a more serious stance makes for mixed results on Menos El Oso. The packaging and lyrics have reoccurring themes of water, regret, loss, and hope that make for a thematically cohesive record that succeeds in creating a distinct mood that the listener should be able to identify with. The first half of the album, up through the centerpiece track, "The Fix," are an exciting ride of beat-driven songs in which the guitar lines are decidedly more intriguing than the solid but unremarkable vocals and lyrics provided by Jake Snider. "The Fix," is one of the best songs I've heard all year, complete with a great instrumental breakdown and fun lyrics like "The distance between our bodies is a problem that we can fix." Minus the Bear take things down a notch with the next track, "El Torrente," and the bland song unfortunately takes away from some of the momentum the album had been building. The band rebounds nicely though, and while nothing the rest of the way out matches the highs of the first four tracks, songs like "Fulfill the Dream" are quality rock numbers much better than most rock music out there. If there is one downside to the band making their outlook a bit more serious, its that a few tracks are a bit boring, especially in the middle of the record. The band is at their best when they are rocking out and showcasing their impressive talent.
Sure, Menos El Oso is a bit inconsistent in spots, but Minus the Bear have created a unique sound that is sure to impress new listeners and please fans of their previous work. I've been enjoying this record quite a bit lately, but I fear it lacks the staying power to become anything other than another good indie rock record that will get lost in my collection.
3/4
Similar sounding releases
2004David LevinStepping on My Hat
2004The Plastic ConstellationsMazatlan
2005VeronaRumored to Whisper Suspicions
1999Pop UnknownSummer Season Kills
2004PaulsonVariations
1999The Get Up KidsSomething to Write Home About
