| | Minus The Bear Highly Refined Pirates CD Minus The Bear Discography of CDs
 (3 Customer Reviews)
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They may call this math rock but -- contrary to the attempt at pigeonholing -- it rarely gets boring. Which is usually a good sign that the usual musical designations don't really apply to Minus the Bear. The only question that comes up during a casual or earnest listen to their latest release, Highly Refined Pirates, is this: where would you place these guys if you had to? Then comes the rejoinder: who cares? Filled with complex guitar fingerwork, aural synth embellishment, and spiraling arrangements that recall everything from King Crimson to More Songs About Building and Food-era Talking Heads to later work from bands like Fugazi (especially The Argument) and Juno, Highly Refined Pirates is a trip through what's great about newer indie rock that doesn't sound like it's trying to be punk without the danger. Many songs on Highly Refined Pirates float ethereally above their conventionally driving drum and guitar lines, and pack a serious lyrical punch to boot. Such as "Get Me Naked 2: Electric Boogaloo" -- comedy! -- which boasts one of the coolest choruses ever committed to memory ("You said, 'My life's like a bad movie'/I said, 'That's true of all of us'/You said 'I've got to wake up so f**king early'/I said 'Maybe the director's turned on us'). Or "Let's Play Guitar in a Five-Guitar Band," a dense collection of echo-heavy vocals, light arpeggiation, distant distortion, and enough hammer-ons to make Eddie Van Halen proud. But the greatest thing about this Minus the Bear album is that it doesn't let its sonic complexity go to its head. Each of Highly Refined Pirates' songs is filled with tongue-in-cheek lyrical wordplay (like that cited above) or entitled with toss-off lines from Paul Verhoeven's outer space soap opera, Starship Troopers (samples: "You Kill Bugs Good, Man" or "Damn Bugs Whacked Him, Johnny"). Al in all, Highly Refined Pirates will probably satisfy the music notation nerds, the indie cynics, and the random listener searching for something indefinite in a saturated pop landscape looking to hawk the usual boring band du jour. ~ Scott Thill
Recording information: Studio Litho, Seattle, WA.
Photographer: Robin Laananen.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Cory Murchy; Erin Tate.
Personnel: Amy Blaschke (vocals).
Audio Mixers: Troy Tietjen; Matt Bayles; Steve Fisk.
2nd Rel
Highly Refined Pirates Music Highly Refined Pirates Music Review Average Rating: (5 out of 5 stars)  amazing band, amazing cd
minus the bear is one of the greatest bands to come out of the seattle area in my opinion. the lyrics are catchy. the guitar work is amazing, i've never heard anything like it from an alternative band. and the amazing thing about the lead guitarist: he was the lead guitarist for botch. yes, the hardcore seattle band. such a huge change, and in my opinion, more suitable for him.
i've seen these guys live, and they're just as amazing on-stage as they are on their cds. if they come to your town, check them out. it's worth the money.
anyway, the cd has too many great songs. honestly, it's hard to pick a favorite. screw it, buy the cd and listen to it yourself. or download a few songs however you feel like downloading them. just get the music somehow and enjoy it.
Submitted by chip_wood (seattle, washington)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No awesome sound
i had never even heard of these guys before until a friend at work got the cd for me. i was addicted the first time i heard it. they have such a great sound that it just holds you in. i highly reccomend them to anyone who likes bands like Death Cab for Cutie or The Postal Service. definitely worth a listen!
Submitted by shadowstarrz (Concord, NC, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No amazing
wonderful band i say
Submitted by EDYaneZ (philippine,ZL,NL)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No | Have you heard this album? |  |
Buy Highly Refined Pirates CD Purchase Highly Refined Pirates CD To buy, Click on price to add to cart | Minus The Bear This Is What I Know About Being Gigantic CD (2001) Extended Play
Highly Refined Pirates album
 $10.55 
Featuring members of Kill Sadie, Botch, and Sharks Keep Moving, this northwestern-based quintet focus on making shockingly catchy as well as forward thinking rock, with just enough surprises to keep things original and not to many to make them seem like a novelty. Strong vocals that are occasionally reminiscent of a more laid-back J. Robbins lead the way, but it is the band that makes things work so well. Rocking from start to finish on the seven-track disc, the group weaves in wandering Owls-style guitar lines, ...
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| | Head Automatica Decadence CD (2004)
Highly Refined Pirates songs
$10.39 
Although Glassjaw's Daryl Palumbo could have stuck to his nu-metal guns while teaming up with dance/electronica producer Dan "the Automator" Nakamura, the vocalist uses DECADENCE as a conduit for Rapture-worthy grooves with a rock & roll swagger. Among the more booty-shaking Head Automatica creations are the Primal Scream-like "Brooklyn Is Burning," with ...
| | Minus The Bear Menos El Oso CD (2005)
Highly Refined Pirates album
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Minus the Bear continue their brand of quirky-cum-arty rock with light, airy harmonies and somewhat experimental guitars on "The Game Needed Me" as lead singer Jake Snider doles out lines in the vein of Cake's lead singer. Partially spoken, partially sung, the overall effort is decent but wouldn't whet everyone's sonic palette. "Memphis & 53rd" on the other hand begins with an almost drum'n'bass flavor prior to going into a quasi ska-rock format recalling a timid English Beat. Musically it's a collage of different genres, with the chorus melding them all adequately. Minus the Bear finally hits paydirt on the mid-tempo but inviting "Drilling," fuelled by the drumming of Erin Tate and the guitar work of Snider and David Knudson. At times it's not quite guitar "noodling," ...
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| | Sons Of Kalal No-Plan-B CD (2009)
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The group is Sons of Kalal, and each member is an entrepreneurial, working-class Hip-Hop practician . Bionik, Big Worm, Mr-6, Simple, and M.C. Capone make up the five-piece group, consisting of four MC's and a DJ. Before starting the long road to stardom the members of Sons of Kalal spent their days side by side the everyday blue collar American. One member owned a painting company, another owned a HVAC company, one installed pools, and two members were jacks of all trades. But those days are almost over as their music demands more and more of their time and focus! Sons of Kalal have been together since 2004 and all 5 members graduated from the same New Hampshire High School. They have played and continue to play at* The Middle East and Western Front in Cambridge Ma* The Elevens in western Ma,* The Red Square in Burlington VT,* The Big Easy in Portland ME.* Millys Tavern, the Stone Church, the Brick House, and the Ioka Theatre in New Hampshire What makes Sons of Kalal special is there lyrical connection to the everyday working-class hero. Sons of Kalal live, walk and work amongst the community. They are in touch with the reality of what's going on and with their fan’s life styles. They have professional CD's and an extreme uniqueness in the Hip-Hop genre.They have not headlined a show with less than 100 fans showing up since 2005, it seems every 6 months the group achieves another goal and advances a little bit further. Sons of Kalal excelled because of fans demanding more shows and new music.Sons of Kalal took 3rd place in The Hippo Press for the best performers of original ...
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