Minus The Bear's Forthcoming Album "Omni"

There are two main types of music listeners, those who pay more attention to lyrics and those who are drawn to the melodies, tones and rhythm of a song. Minus the Bear cater mostly to the latter; with their electronica and progressive infused math rock, especially in their latest full length release, Omni. Fans of the genre will appreciate the band’s further mastery of their particular style with bright guitar and keyboard tones over distant and toned down drums in opener “My Time”.

However, it will become apparent to new listeners that the hooks aren’t found in the vocals, but the keyboard and guitar riffs strung throughout the melody. This is also true of “Secret Country” which features a prominent climbing guitar part over a looping electronic jangle and matching bass riff. This is not to say that the vocals leave something to be desired; with lines like “kisses her man’s cheek, her hunter eyes lock on her prey” and “she senses the mirror in him, for one irresistible kiss” the imagery and tension of relationships is brought into focus. The songs on Omni are about desperation, lust and our desire to escape, but carried through a tone reminiscent of the last time you got high. Where MTB will be a hit with some and a miss with others is in their lack of pop hooks in the lyrics and the relaxed, mellow delivery of each phrase.

Omni truly feels like a layered, concentrated effort by a band that’s spent the last decade perfecting their own unique blend of rock music. Filled with the time signature changes, guitar solos, thick guitar tones and smooth rhythms that converted previous Minus the Bear fans, it also contains enough depth and variety among songs to attract new listeners.

While remaining mostly gimmick free, it is hard not to both appreciate and question MTB’s choice to use reversed and heavily altered keyboard and overdrive bass riffs in the cleverly named “Animal Backwards”. Still, the song holds its own and fits in well between repetitive, but crooning “Into the Mirror” and the closing slow-jam track “Dayglow Vista Road”.

Pass the bong or pour some whiskey on the rocks if Omni has survived a few spins and continue your Minus the Bear experience. This is an album with a lot of depth that will open your mind and mature with each listen.

For more Minus The Bear,
Website: http://www.omnithealbum.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/minusthebear