Cougar Microbes

If you happen to be in the West Coast of the USA at the end of this month you will be happy to hear that Sunderland’s favourite sons, The Futureheads, are hitting the road.

Starting off in Seattle and heading all the way through to Texas these shows represent the first time in four years that the band has hit your side of the world. Make sure you take advantage of it

TRACKS:

The Futureheads – Struck Dumb

God this is good! Trying to sum this record up is almost as challenging as to listen to it without having to stop what you are doing, stare gleefully at the speakers & uncontrollably bob your head to the groove.

‘Omni‘ the bands first full length since 2007′s “Planet of Ice“, finds Minus the Bear in what feels & sounds like effortless full flight. It is this effortlessness, to this humble reviewers ears, that makes this album a marvel onto itself.

This album is detailed: Cascading soundscapes litter the “sometimes simple, sometimes progressive“ song structures. Every bleep, guitar chord or drum loop so carefully placed & with such precision you would think this was crafted by machine. Alas, it wasn’t, and thus like any art in the hands of master craftsmen is injected with as much soul as accuracy.

Trying to pin down the band’s sound as they march through the 10 cuts on offer here is a hard one. A vast array of influence come to mind when listening to the album in its entireity (as a side note, this album should be enjoyed as a total) but never do the band sound like they are struggling for a voice.

The locked but joyous chemistry between the drums and bass (Erin Tate & Cory Murchy respectively) provide such a solid platform that the rest of the band are allowed to inflect the Jimmy Eat World esque Indie rock with The Police inspired guitar lines & Daft Punk synth lines without tredding on the songs. There is even room for nods to early 70′s soul and aphex twin style broken beats creating something quite unique.

This is all stitched together magninificently by Joe Chiccarelli‘s (The White Stripes, My Morning Jacket) big yet airy production and Jake Sniders
understated yet hook riddled vocals.

Minus The Bear have managed to create something quite special with this record. Go. Listen!

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Post by the Dusseldorf bound Warren

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TRACKS:

Minus The Bear – Summer Angel

We want to raise your awareness for Move For ALS, a mean feat two young men have just set off on. In order to raise the awareness of ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease or Motor Neuron Disease) the duo will embark on a crazy 2-month cycle ride from Seattle to New York as part of a collaborative fundraising movement for Project A.L.S., the non-profit organization that funds and conducts scientific research seeking a cure for ALS.

The build up on their blog has been simultaneously captivating, tragic, amusing and moving. Now that they are officially on the road they will continue updating us with their unique and personal perspective. Please check out their site and help in any way you can!

Here are a couple of Forrest Gump themed tracks to suit their ambitious/crazy coast to coast journey.

TRACKS:

Creedance Clearwater Revival – Fortunate Son

Jefferson Airplane – Volunteers