Menos El Oso

Minus the Bear | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 23, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Suicide Squeeze
• ASIN: B000A2H84Y
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,761 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

URB

"Virtuoso musicianship + smart songwriting = Seth Cohen's wet dream"

Product Description

Three years removed from the riveting full-length debut, "Highly Refined Pirates", this highly stylized Seattle indie-pop group flaunts substantial glitch-riddled prog-pop on their second Suicide Squeeze full-length. Weaving through territories long established by '70s prog-rockers (Yes, Rush), '80s proto punks (Fugazi), and '90s art rock mind-f*cks (Jawbox, Joan Of Arc), Minus The Bear invoke the modern love affair between dance driven strategy and lush, Upper Pacific sweater rock. Features appearances by Judah Nagler and Josh Staples (The Velvet Teen), Michael Richardson (The New Trust), and Heather Duby.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars haiirogumanofu, January 15, 2006

By 

FYP (Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Menos El Oso (Audio CD)

Lets see . . . I learned about Minus the Bear about a year ago, hearing about their first CD Highly Refined Pirates. My older cousin, who is now in college, gave my brother the CD to listen to. Well, I listened to it about 6 months to a year later, But it was a great CD. So, I looked on amazon and other places, and found this CD, Menos El Olso

Menos El Olso succeeds in ways Highly Refined Pirates didn't even touch. The sound is fresher, and sticks in your mind well after you've listened to it (It's like when you sing to yourself, and everyone around you asks, who the hell is that?) They do away with the little 50 second songs that get real annoying in the first album, and build more solid music. The overall effect is pleasent,and creates an album you can listen to constantly without wearing it out.

However, the elimination of the same short 50 second songs like "You Kill Bugs Good Man" and "Damn Bugs Whaked Him, Johnny" leaves the album with sort of repetative feel. Also while some songs are classic, like "Hooray" and "The Game Needed Me" some leave something to be desired, Especially the last two, "The Pig Wars" and "This Aint a Surfing Movie".While Menos El Olso may be the best Minus The Bear album yet, it just a bit more of the same that made their first album so good.

Oh . . . and I'm also going to see Minus the Bear in Febuary in Shibuya. I Can't freakin' wait untill then. It's gonna be great

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best MTB Album, Hands Down, August 17, 2008

By 

Shed (Fayetteville, AR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Menos El Oso (Audio CD)

There's a big riff among a lot of MTB fans as to whether or not this album is superior, lacking, or equal to the band's previous effort, "Highly Refined Pirates". In my opinion, "Menos el Oso" takes what "Pirates" had and goes the extra mile, making a much more full and directed effort.

I truly believe that this is a "summertime" album. Just try playing it on a road trip during the summer, or while you're at the beach, lake, etc. It's an amazing album to listen to with friends and gets you in that zen place that's full of no worries. I'm even playing this album on my iPod at my job and it's just keeps me in an awesome mood everytime.

The difference on "Menos" is that the guys sound like they have a lot more direction this time around, which gives them a more definitive sound. Yes, the fun and silliness of "Pirates" is still there, but MTB definitely matured on this album by implementing stronger grooves, smart (while tongue-in-cheek as well) lyrics and experimenting with different sounds. One can see the beginnings of where they'd go with "Planet of Ice" on this album, but those Pink Floyd-esque sounds aren't very prominent on this album.

All the songs are great on this album, no filler whatsoever. But specific gems on this album (if you're going to introduce anyone to MTB) include:
"Memphis & 53rd"
"The Fix"
"El Torrente"
"Pachuca Sunrise"
"The Pig War"

If you're looking for a band that's different, smart and fulfilling, check out this band, and check out this album. It's a killer.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Their Best Album To Date?, June 1, 2007

By 

Refined Pirate (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Menos El Oso (Audio CD)

When you listen to Minus the Bear, there's a certain sound you expect to hear. That smart, quirky, bleep bloop rock. Finger taps and hot dance beats mixed with electronica and non abrasive vocals. My friend travis would argue that Highly Refined Pirates is their best (and quintessential) work, but I believe Menos El Oso is the superior album. The album is not boring as some may claim- it's just more mature. MTB's song writing is at it's best, along with the quality of the musicianship. The album is solemn and beautiful with enough hooks to keep you coming back no matter what mood your in.