Customer Reviews

Omni

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I've been a long-time fan of this band and Menos El Oso was and is still one of my favorite albums of all time. That being said, I was very skeptical when I went through and previewed this album. I thought the 30 second clips sounded too pop-ish and I figured I'd be disappointed. Boy, was I wrong.

This album is absolutely amazing and I'm sad it's only 10 songs long. The $5.99 price makes it a steal and I'm now planning on seeing them live to experience their music first-hand. It's the kind of music you put on in the car and your friends say, "Whoa, who is this?" The more you listen to this album, the more you hear little things going on that you never noticed before and it's wonderful. For the price, definitely five stars.

After reading some mostly negative reviews, I thought I should post my reply to one of those reviews. Warning: I love Minus the Bear. I discovered Menos first. Highly Refined is my favorite album by them. If you don't love minus the bear, you might not like this. If you do, it will definitely have to grow on you no matter what. I did not like all the tracks at first but now I can listen to it all the way through fine.


Hmmm while I agree that it's definitely not like the old Minus the Bear, I personally do not mind that. It's kind of refreshing actually because most of minus the bear's songs sound exactly the same but with pieces switched around here and there. The drummer played a lot of the same beats through out most of the albums and they really loved that line 6 delay pedal for the longest time. In fact, Highly Refined Pirates was their only original album in my opinion. I love Menos...although again, it could all just be one song and planet of ice follows in it's foot steps. Highly Refined, weird pop songs. Menos, less weird pop songs. Planet, that was just droning keyboards with lyrics and a feel that really did make you feel like you're out in the snow. Omni though, it's a spring album. It has that summer vibe. What goes with summer? Love. What's love? Corny, cliche and definitely unoriginal. But I feel like Minus The Bear pulls that off. The songs flow together perfectly with a nice even build up, it sure does lack though tracks 3-6. Fooled by the Night? Dayglow? Animal Backwards? All genius songs. Into the Mirror is such an amazing build up too. The thing is, for once Minus the Bear was different. I thought they layed down just as much keys/guitar. Jack, while cliche lyrics, was on point with his vocals. The only person who really lacked was the drummer but I was tired of hearing him do that same off beat anyway. Maybe I'm just a pop lover. Or maybe I just love Minus the Bear too much. At any rate, as a jazz drummer, I'd like to think I know something about music and I can confidently say I'd suggest this album to anyone.

As with all MTB albums, they grow on you over time; each album is a different flavour than the predecessor. When I first listened to OMNI on the drive home from the store I knew this was going to be another great album. After listening to OMNI a second time at home, this time the entire album, with proper sound, it was fantastic. Although, Planet of Ice has been my fav. album so far by MTB, OMNI is definitely a quality record.

I feel like Minus el Oso was a tad more mainstream than earlier stuff, whereas POI was a throwback again, along with new twists. OMNI, again, is a perfect mix of the two, in my opinion.

I can't wait to see them live this summer.

I originally gave this album 5 stars, and I got plenty of thumbs up for that review, but I've thought about it long and hard. This album is NOT a 5 star album, and I'll explain why.

One of Minus The Bear's strong points is Jake Snider's incredible lyrics. Just listen to "Burying Luck" or "This Ain't A Surfin' Movie". There's great intelligence in MTB's entire catalog. The choruses are unconventional ("Get Me Naked 2"), the song structures are complex ("Michio's Death Drive"), and the themes, despite being mostly women and booze, did stretch to fascinating territory ("I'm Totally Not Down With Rob's Alien"). OMNI's lyrics are quite...bland. Unoriginal. Kind of average. According to Jake Snider, "We always wanted to see just how weird we can make a pop song, but I think at some point we abandoned that and just started wanting to write really good songs." I'd have to disagree. If you're talking about "Planet Of Ice", then heck yeah, you achieved that! But with OMNI? Those are not "really good songs". They are not little 13 year old girlie songs, but I find them very disappointing for MTB. "You've got a rich dad who hates every boy like me". Ugh. Maybe It is for 13 year old girls. Not to mention "I don't know you that well but I like your energy". What is this? 80's pop? Need more lyrical proof? Check out these other OMNI "highlights":

"Caught in the pull of your green eyed glow I want to feel my skin in the snow" (why?)

"You release from your kiss and do a dance for me in the rain"

"Should I find you're not around I would surely chase you down lure you in with a lonely sound and then I'll have you" (uh...what?)

"That black and white dress puts me into a trance as I memorize you"

But as a redemption, songs like "Into The Mirror" and maybe "Fooled By The Night" (the beginning) are outstanding. However, none of them even compete with "Houston, We Have Uh-Oh".

Another reason I can only give AT MOST 3 stars is the fact that the instrumentation is underdeveloped for the band. Some parts are slightly exciting, like the beginning of "Summer Angel", but you'll never hear anything epic on this album like on "Planet Of Ice". OMNI's rather underwhelming. Not saying that it's not creative. You can tell it's MTB, but not the MTB you remember. "My Time" is more loud than good-sounding, and is actually a very unsatisfying single. Yeah, they got the cool Japanese synth, but it doesn't have any burn-yer-eyebrows guitar worked up in there. I agree with another reviewer that overall, the guitars are "toned down". Nothing catchy on this album is as catchy (or fun) as the guitars on "Lemurs, Man, Lemurs" or "Drilling". I don't really like synths or keyboards without an excessive amount of electric guitar. When used properly, they can be excellent, but they are too prominent on this album. MTB is a guitar band! They never hid their talents! They are seriously killer guitar players (and an awesome drum player). I'm just not feeling the groove with OMNI.

Overall, not an impressive release, guys. I expected something more in the direction of the last album (you can probably tell by now that I LOVE "Planet Of Ice"). And why the change of labels? Suicide Squeeze is awesome! Maybe the band moved or something. MTB always took more than one listen to like, but even after listening to OMNI a bunch, I don't like it. It's not an Indie classic. It's just an excuse to tour some more, really. The cover may be cool, and the deluxe vinyl may have a nice stencil (what a gimmick), but it just ain't a golden record. And before I say that 100 more times in several different more ways, I shall stop here. It's an OK album. It doesn't completely suck, but I'll probably sell my CD to a used record store before long. As the motivation posters on 3rd graders' classroom walls say, "The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra."

This truly is a phenomenal album. Having been a casual MTB fan ever since Highly Refined Pirates, this album has pushed them into my top favorite groups. The album is definitely a grower, the songs aren't immediately catchy or memorable, but as you listen further and all the little intricacies creep out it starts to take on a life of it's own. The album's high point for me is definitely the two-song arch of "Into The Mirror" and "Animal Backwards," the latter of which uses samples from the former song but with the audio reversed. Other highlights include 'Summer Angel' and 'Dayglow Vista Road'. Give this album a chance, you won't regret it.

Minus the Bear is probably one of the first bands the phrase, "I was listening to them before they were big" was coined for. Originally hailing from Seattle, this indie-rock band has released a number of albums/EPs on a number of different labels. While I passingly heard in a conversation that their 2010 release, Omni, was a total sellout, I'd have to disagree.

Listening to their discography the sound focuses over 10 years. Starting with Highly Refined Pirates, the band is loose and energetic, but instrumentals don't always seem to mesh. Moving into their second and third releases Menos el Oso and Planet of Ice, the instrumentals sound more refined. The albums continue to reach higher positions on charts with each release. Most recently, they signed to Dangerbird records and release Omni, a much more relaxed, well flowing album. I wouldn't by any means say the new album is a sellout, more that the album actually reached out to a larger market (as Dangerbird is known for pushing). When they change their clothing and sing songs written for them by their label, that's when they've sold out (lookin' at you King of Leon).

If you've tried this band before and it wasn't your thing, I suggest giving Omni a chance. Like i said before it really hits the market with wider arms than any of the older albums. While this video scores little more than a "heh, thats kinda clever..." on the originality scale, it's still my favorite song off the album. Enjoy "My Time" off Minus the Bear's Omni.
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Love the new album. Starts off with a new sound for Minus the Bear, which is by no means a bad thing. In fact i enjoyed the album from start to finish. Some with this new fresh sound and others sounding like the good old MTB we all know and love. Great new album.

Minus the Bear simply rocks my socks everytime. Packaging is very well done in keeping with the almost disco 70's sexy feel of the album itself. Great addition to any Minus the Bear fan's collection.

Put simply, this album blends all aspects of Minus the Bears' previous works. I can understand the alienation in feelings about 'Omni' within the fan-base but I definitely dig this album. In a day and age where so many bands are so dry, Minus the Bear comes off with something fresh and different. 'Omni' is geared much more towards the electro-pop sound that has always been hinted at in past works and puts it in the spotlight. Where 'Planet of Ice' was more guitar-driven and gave an atmosphere that lived up to its title, 'Omni' welcomes the summer-like, laid-back feel in Minus the Bear's distinct style. I would highly recommend this album.

Personal favourite tracks:

Secret Country
Excuses
The Thief
My Time

I will make this quick and simple. The best album of 2010 to this point. If you like Minus the Bear, or more importantly music in general, there's absolutely no reason why this shouldn't be on top of the ole' CD pile for the next few weeks/months. Buy now.