MINUS THE BEAR: Rest in Peace

So to see Minus the Bear finally call it a day, I guess does not come as some highly surprising shock.
They seem to kind of plateau maybe a couple of years back on a commercial level.

And musically? while I wish I could say they were making music I loved recently, I can't totally say that. At the same time, I guess I can admit to enjoying some of the songs from Infinity Overhead and OMNI.

VOIDS? I'm guilty to having never checked out largely due to reading comments about it not straying all that much from their recent records.

Of course the deal for me with Minus the Bear:

I could never fully get into them until 2007 with Planet of Ice, which is their most prog-rock like. I read more than 1 thing with the members saying they were listening to a lot of King Crimson when they wrote it.

They combined college rock, with mathrock and some pop sensibilities on it, that seemed to really work.

I recall going back to their previous records Menos el Oso and Highly Refined Pirates, and even an EP or 2, and finding more to like than before.

Although the issue with the vocals being soft, or something, I still think exists, but it doesn't bother me as much.

I guess I cannot forget seeing them live. I saw them, 3 or 4 times. I can't recall.

The 1st time was with The Helio Sequence at First Avenue. And while they were good, THS were better. Honestly MUCH better, and this was on the Planet of Ice tour in 2007.

Anyway, then I saw them again, I think in 2008 with Annuals at The Varsity Theater. Annuals I had seen a few times before and were really good (group drum jams included), and like The Helio Sequence, Annuals were better, lol.

I don't remember when I saw them again after that, but one other time was with my gf I want to say in 2012 at The Varsity Theater again, with The Velvet Teen. And while I'm not sure if TVT like Annuals and The Helio Sequence, out-staged them, I can saw I went to see TVT more.

I mean I can't say I'm happy they are ending, but at the same time, I'm not depressed. I would be up for seeing them 1 last time at The Varsity Theater on 10/15, although as it turns out, it is the same night I was thinking of seeing The Church at The Turf Club.

also a note, they mentioned Planet of Ice, Crimson and progrock when they guested on Live from Daryl's House, which I recall they did a cover of something off Sacred Songs, the album Daryl Hall made with Robert Fripp.

RIP Minus the Bear. Someone said Foals may not be around without them, which if so, I am grateful. It just adds to the list of bands what I might look at the "Golden Era" of progressive college rock in the mid-late 2000''s until today, who are gone.

RIP.

Facebook Post



Friends,

After almost two decades of writing and touring the world together, we have decided to close this chapter of our lives as Minus the Bear.

What started as a silly inside joke inside the dingy confines of Seattle’s original Cha Cha Lounge back in 2001 quickly snowballed into years of adventures, creativity, and friendship. We could have never predicted the wild journey about to begin. We’ve accomplished so much over the past 17 years, and we are grateful for the experience.

Undoubtedly we owe all of these adventures to you, our fans. Without all of you, the memories of traveling the world, exploring different cultures, and witnessing the delight of your beautiful faces singing along wouldn’t have been possible. Your support weathered us through storms that easily could have scuttled the band. Throughout the years, it’s you who kept us going. We cannot thank you enough.

This Autumn we head out on our final tour in support of our upcoming 4-song EP “Fair Enough” courtesy of Suicide Squeeze Records. You can hear the title track and read our interview here: https://bit.ly/2utoQ1d

These final shows are a celebration for the community of fans who gave us so much through years of dedication. We’ll be digging deep in the MTB catalogue and we are honored for the opportunity to play our hearts out for you one last time.

Love,

Alex, Cory, Dave and Jake

Annuals - Time Stamp (2013)

I think the write-up at the bottom kind of explains mostly all of what needs to be known. I have known for quite awhile their future was uncertain if there was much of one. But I have posted in the last couple of years in this blog and various forums, they had an album in the can, with a supposed title "Born Raised," but due to Record Label issues, it was delayed. It kept on getting delayed, and then the band kind of went silent. And some of the members moved away from North Carolina. I recall Anna Spence is either a lawyer of some kind or in law school.

But I thought I saw Adam Baker post a few months ago about moving the LA with maybe 1 or 2 of the other members of the band.

At any case, I just bought the album and will check it out hopefully this week at least (my new job begins in 2 weeks and next week I'm on vacation).

I am happy they were able to put this out, unlike some bands like Fields or Superior, who made an album and never got to share it (or like Soundscape, who it took nearly a decade to finally share it).

But it is bitter sweet. Of course following the members, namely Adam's future music projects, should be worth doing. And some kind of reunion may happen at some point (see Kiss Kiss or TREOS for example).

But for now, this will have to do.

I think it may be worth mentioning how a band like Local Natives who I am still a very big fan of, owes a bit to these guys. And they likely would fully admit, just even the tribal drumming and such. It is a bit sad Annuals find this fate, and meanwhile Local Natives constantly get compared to the likes of bands like Grizzly Bear and The National, lol. While I rarely if ever have seen the Annuals name mentioned when talking about them. Maybe in due time (yeah right).

RIP.



1. Omnicide 04:09
2. Winslow 03:18
3. Sunday, 17 03:07
4. I Don't Care 03:42
5. Orbweaver 02:52
6. The Rotary 03:36
7. Whippoorwill 03:27
8. Watauga 04:59
9. Broke 03:12
10. Coffee 04:21
11. Lil' Pitlins 04:11




This is Time Stamp. Whether it's a swan song, a comeback, or something else... Even we aren't sure. This is the first Annuals full length in nearly five years with just five songs in between, and even those songs from Sweet Sister (which were supposed to be a quick "hold-you-over") have gathered some dust. 
There have been good, bad, hard, and harder times since our departure from Canvasback and Columbia records in 2010. It seems we've all individually landed on our feet but for better or worse in different, separate places. The majority of Time Stamp has sat in a near-completed form for almost 18 months, the final stretch towards completion would cost the band essentially all of the money it had left to it's name. It's here now, with some measured degree of hope, that people will care enough to see that this might be a last ditch effort. We know we have friends and fans across the USA and beyond, we've met you and we've shared many joyful evenings together over the years. We skipped the crowd funding and went straight to getting out a final product. We hope you care about the project, can put something back into it, and to share it with your friends and loved ones. Thank you for all of the love and support you've afforded us all these years. This is for y'all.
credits
released 23 April 2013 
All songs written and produced by Adam Baker 

For the making of this record, Annuals is and was: 
Adam Baker 
Mike Robinson 
Zack Oden 
Nick Radford 
Devin Downey 
Kenny Florence 
Whit Wright 
Anna Spence 
& Jenna Smith

Annuals - Born Raised (2012)

4/22/12 1:12AM

Hear the finished version of "Bother" here

nice, although it sounds much like their last EP. Par for the course.

also just a vague update on a timeframe.

Matt Dietz
what's the news on the new album!
April 3 at 11:50am
Annuals
Hey matt, we're shopping it around right now to see if any labels want to jump in. More news coming soon!

12/16/11 12:11PM


facebook post

one piece of the puzzle that is the forthcoming annuals record titled 'Born Raised'

the song in that post "Mark Beatle" I believe is playing now.
link to "Mark Beatle" on Soundcloud

pretty excited for this album.

Anathema - Weather Systems (2012)

3/13/12 6:20AM

for those unaware, this album was made available yesterday, March 12th, on Spotify (and various other sources/webrips). And just having heard it, it's rather breathtaking.

3/5/12 6:13PM

popmatters story





Wow, this record is sounding better and better. Damn, some of the vocals sound a little like Annuals, who by the way, announced they finished mixing their new album Born Raised recently. But that's unrelated to Anathema and Weather Systems.

I'm gonna prognosticate slightly here and predict this record will finish in my top 10 for 2012. If it doesn't, that either will mean 2012 was amazing, or this incredible stuff doesn't stand the test of the year. But I'm skeptical if that'll be the case.

I received a "pre-order" bundle offer via The End Records in my email (claiming I ordered something from Opeth from them, which I don't recall, lol) that includes Vinyl+CD+T-Shirt for $40. Tempting. I may consider canceling my Flying Colors order, and getting that instead. But I'd guess I have a little while to decide still.


2/15/12 8:37PM
Track times edited-in below


Free download of "The Beginning and the End"
http://www.burningshed.com/store/kscope/freedownload/46/


2/3/2012 12:17AM
Anathema.ws



track list from b-mouth link

1.   Untouchable Part 1 (6.14) 
2.   Untouchable Part 2 (5.33) 
3.   The Gathering Of The Clouds (3.27) 
4.   Lightning Song (5.25) 
5.   Sunlight (4.55) 
6.   The Storm Before The Calm (9.24) 
7.   The Beginning And The End (4.53) 
8.   The Lost Child (7.02) 
9.   Internal Landscapes (8.52) 

story from their homepage

Anathema will return in April with Weather Systems, their brand new studio album.

Weather Systems is the follow-up to 2010’s We're Here Because We're Here. That album featured prominently in numerous end-of-year polls and the producer, Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), has described it as 'definitely among the best albums I’ve ever had the pleasure to work on.'

The bar for Weather Systems has been set pretty high then but Daniel is certain that the album will exceed these lofty expectations, ‘it feels like we are at a creative peak right now, and this album reflects that. Everything from the production to the writing to the performances are a step up from our last album.’

He continues, ‘This is not background music for parties. The music is written to deeply move the listener, to uplift or take the listener to the coldest depths of the soul.’

The intertwining melodic structures of these profoundly beautiful songs are intensely powerful, yet simple. These are songs that will transport the listener closer to the heart of life, that is to say, to the heart of themselves.

It is also an album of polarity. The play of opposites; light and shade, birth and death, love and fear. The simple truths of life and loss, hope and strength and darker internal themes are all explored here.

The album was recorded in Liverpool, North Wales and Oslo, each place significant to Anathema past, present and future. The record was produced and mastered by 5 times Norwegian Grammy nominated Christer-André Cederberg (Animal Alpha, In the Woods..., Drawn), who Daniel has described as ‘a revelation. His calmness and brilliance has helped to bring about the greatest inter-band chemistry that Anathema have experienced together in their career.’

This album will please fans who call for more of Lee Douglas’s vocals, as her role within Anathema’s brand of alternative, melodic rock has matured to become an integral energy. In this way and more, Weather Systems is the sound of a band finding their voice and growing in stature, moving further along their artistic path with a truly stunning musical vision.

Their best ever work? ‘Not yet’ says Daniel, but he does believe that with Weather Systems they have surpassed previous glories; ‘we are pleased and proud of the record and we feel that, alongside the best moments of WHBWH, this record contains our very best work so far in what is becoming a long career.’

Weather Systems will be available on Kscope from April 16th 2012.

Yes yes yes! I actually expect a lot from this, but that of course is a GOOD thing. I adore Falling Deeper and especially their last proper LP We're Here Because We're Here from 2010. Atmospheric, melancholy, gothic, heavy progressive rock.

Fuck yeah! April 16th baby!

Annuals - Solsbury Hill (live)

Go to 1:17 into the video.



Quality of the recording leaves a bit to desire. The band I guess are planning on-recording/have recorded a version of this song by Peter Gabriel. And hearing this live, I'm rather curious what it may sound like. The GROUP DRUMMING that I love Annuals live shows for, I sincerely hope is part of the arrangement they recorded, as it is there.

Annuals - TBA (2011 or 2012?)

8/3/11 11:35AM - 8/10/11 8:05PM

facebook post

new song "Bother" there, posted on Sunday actually (I know I'm a few days late)



Facebook Post

Good news! Recording will be done in 2 weeks!!!! Look out for a new tune by weeks end!

So, this is just early info, but I'm pretty excited to hear their next work. 2010's Sweet Sister has some *sweet* tunes on it, as well as both of their full lengths, 2008's Such Fun and 2006's Be He Me and their other releases.

I'll try and elaborate more now or when the next info (song upload?) is available to pass along.

Annuals - TBA (2011) (1.0)

2/9/11 6:19PM



facebook post

ok forks, we are sooooo close to being done with the next album! it's nail biting time! we will post a sample of a couple songs here soon. looking forward to some feedback. Love you ALL!!!

great news. I really love this band sometimes, and I think they are so good, they haven't made their best studio work yet. Definitely one to get excited for, rather soon it sounds like. Maybe a late Spring/Summer release.

I really would love to see their success reach to where bands like Local Natives and even Warpaint are now at. But of course, without requiring Hipfork's rape-services.

Annuals - Sweet Sister [EP] (2010)

3/26/10 10:24PM

the whole ep can be streamed here with registration/sign-in required

this does sound like an obvious extension of "Such Fun"..which isn't a bad result, but like I posted below, I think this band can get away with changing. Perhaps more new things will be in store with their next full-length.


2/17/10 12:13AM

you can hear a new song from it and the artwork+tracklist is below. "Loxstep" the new song is good, although not vastly different from "Such Fun" (2008)

And they've released ep's in the past. I guess I'm looking forward to this and seeing them live again of course as that link states they will be touring this Spring.

But with their next full-length I am hoping they mix things up some and strip some of the music down. I recall speaking with 1 of the guys from Local Natives about "Such Fun" and how it has a "glitzy" production. Which isn't bad, and in a lot of ways makes it great to hear. But I like this group, so much so, that I think they are good enough to change styles and still progress. heck, even just some extended percussion of course hehe.

link



1. Loxtep
2. Turncloaking
3. Sweet Sister
4. Holler and Howl
5. Flesh and Blood

1/20/10 1:42AM



facebook wall

This new EP is due on March 30th from one of my favorite live bands over the last few years. And their studio work has usually been pretty damn good. Experimental Psych-Pop..a group who universally are all fans of the band Yes.

I may or may not have featured them before here, but if not, they need more love.

myspace
last.fm



I suspect this new EP may not be their only work in 2010. In 2008, their new lp sort of came out of nowhere as I had no idea it was going to be so soon after their last (2 years). So a full-length may also be in-store for them. If not, 2011 would be very likely barring some unforeseen circumstances.

Oh and they need to go on tour with Local Natives, since Annuals is the only band who really deserve a comparison of the modern bands, to LN's. But will any of these indie lemmings who can't avoid but give LN's the Arcade Fire/Vampire Weekend comparisons. They likely don't listen to music very closely..at least like I do.

Annuals - Hi-Hat (2009)

New EP "Hi-Hat" they want to put out in November.

The Dear Hunter tour should help promote it.

blog

Thursday, September 03, 2009
OMG!! A new Annuals ep!!!
that's right my friends, we annuals have new material coming to your precious little ears very soon. The hi-hat ep is schedueld to come out, with our fingers crossed, early november. we will be promoting the new release on an upcoming week long tour with The Dear Hunter. tour starts october 25 in vienna, virginia and will work its way up the east coast and end in boston november 1st. keep checking back for new material as it is in the process of being mastered right now. tour dates are listed on our page. come see us because we would love to see you!!

<3 Annuals

my guess is, they were looking to release a full-length either late this year, or sometime next year from a previous blog. But when The Dear Hunter came about, getting something new to support it would benefit the band.

I'm excietd for the headlining TDH gig with some nice openers in locals Empires and City of Sound, but to see Annuals WITH them would rule. Tood bad, but 3 Annuals shows in '07-'09 I can't complain. Those NorthEast folks are lucky tho.