Ominbear

I have come to love Minus the Bear’s 3 full lengths so much and listened to all of their songs over and over again, that in my mind I consider them all to have the same cool style of technical ambient rock.  This has leaded me to forget that each album holds its own unique panache.  This is why when I first heard the rather flamboyant synthesizer and poppy chorus of, their newest album, Omni’s opening track “My Time,” I quietly said to myself, “Oh my god, what have they done.” Though this is certainly Minus the Bear’s boldest step in a new direction, my initial repulsion was short lived.

Songs like “My Time” and “Dayglow Vista Road” are just as creative and as equally well produced as any other Minus the Bear track, they just carry a different attitude. In this sense they require a few listens before you start to say, “yeah…….okay”. 

In addition to a new attitude, Omni has tracks like “Into to the Mirror” and “Animal Backwards” which have song formats unique to a Minus the Bear album.  “Into to the Mirror” is centered around a female vocal performance, while “Animal Backwards” has a purely techno sound to it, similar to the likes of the remix album, Interpretaciones Del Oso.  The later certainly being one of the high points of the album, these new types of songs are a welcomed addition.

The best track however without a doubt is “Summer Angel”.  Addicting from the start, this song proves that Minus the Bear has maintained their superior musicianship and fantastic songwriting abilities.  

However, I do have a complaint with certain vocal sections of the album.  For instance on “Secret Country” a wonderfully technical and riveting chorus is undermined by dull and echo-like verses. Similarly on “The Thief”, the singing in the opening verse doesn’t quite fit the beach-funk quality of the song.  It sounds as if they are trying to make the verse vocals have a different sound as chorus vocals, and it at times brings too much attention to itself.

In conclusion, Minus the Bear is a band that never stands still, so if the first part of the song doesn’t strike your interest, chances are one of the other nine parts will.  Omni, like I said is their boldest step and may not quite top any of their last 3 albums but certainly deserves to be thrown onto“My Laidback Yet Musically Brilliant Playlist.”

Yo Mama Joke of the Day:

You mother is being considered for a fill-in position with the coast guard……..it’s to plug the hole in the gulf.

Wise quote:

“You can each as much smart food as you want……….but as long as you consider cheesed popcorn a type of vegetable, you’re still a fuckin moron.”