We’ve got to party while we still have the chance.
Once college ends, we have to settle down, find jobs and get married -we have to grow up.
Bands are (sort of) the same way; they start off as a couple of kids in their parents’ garage, banging away on trash can lids (I imagine every band as Fat Albert and the Junkyard Gang) and generally “making noise.” As they get older, accumulate a fan base and release some critically-acclaimed albums, they feel the need to mature. They don’t want to play the same kind of music.
Minus the Bear always gave off the vibe of a bunch of really talented kids getting together and throwing a party. This party wasn’t a constant barrage of happiness. No, there was always melancholy and loneliness threaded throughout, usually within the lyrical content.
The parties were like if you finally approached a girl you’ve liked for a while, and then she totally rejected you – but you were a bit drunk, and the music was still loud, and the beats were really good, and you just couldn’t help but dance.
And then you realized that you didn’t need her, so you just danced your heart out and didn’t care if anyone thought you looked silly, because damn it, you were going to have fun, even though you were still a bit sad about the whole thing.
Minus the Bear’s new album “Planet of Ice” shows signs of their desire to grow up and stop partying every night, and the result is an album that, while technically admirable and occasionally dance-worthy, isn’t that much fun.
The first sign of their unnecessary move towards maturing is shown in the song and album titles. While previous albums such as “Highly Refined Pirates” featured ridiculously named songs such as “Get Me Naked 2: Electric Boogaloo,” the drearily-titled “Planet of Ice” contains such songs as “Knights” and “Burying Luck.” Sure, their sense of humor used to be rather childish, but it provided a nice juxtaposition to the occasional solemnity and profundity of the lyrics.
Perhaps this wouldn’t be such a problem if the music still contained the energy of their previous outing. But Minus the Bear seems to equate maturity with slower songs and an increased focus on ambience. This method of maturing actually blends them into the crowd.
A first listen to “Planet of Ice” immediately draws comparisons to Tortoise, Aloha or local band Antenna Inn. While this type of music certainly works for those bands, and Minus the Bear does a good job with their version of it, it just doesn’t fit.
They’re coming to the House of Blues on Oct. 18, but I wonder if they’ll be bringing the party. If their new album is any indication, there’ll be less keg stands and more wine-sipping.
And I’m not ready to grow up. I’m ready to dance.
Shawn Dugas can be reached at [email protected].
