Hailing from the grunge capital of the USA, Seattle natives Minus the Bear are quite the contrary of their cities musical history. Their music is extremely imaginative, dreamy, relaxed, beautiful and above all, tremendously creative. Ever since MTB recorded their first EP in 2001, they have been striving for excellence by recording album after album with a clear, steady maturation that can easily be heard. Not bad for a band that recorded their first EP before ever playing a show. Once their first EP was recorded, MTB toured relentlessly and built up a loyal fanbase that could sense the honesty in the music they were playing.
Planet of Ice is the latest from MTB and is nothing short of exceptional. The sound that echoes throughout Planet of Ice is peacefully imaginative and collected, while still keeping an overall upbeat rhythm that seems to place the music completely in its own genre and category. MTB has been compared to the likes of The Mars Volta and Pink Floyd, and although certain similarities can be sensed once in a while, the music sways much more in its own direction to become something a little bit easier for today’s masses to enjoy.
With most of the lyrical content relying on social interaction and relationships that find their way in different directions, there is nothing about the songs on this album that is cliché, everything seems to fit just right. The isolated, beautiful lullabies on Planet of Ice will have you listening over and over again.
release date: Tuesday, August 21, 2007
