Minus the Bear

Infinity Overhead
Big Scary Monsters

Minus the Bear’s fifth album sees the Seattle-based quintet reunited with former member and long time producer Matt Bayles and is, in many ways, a return to form after the band’s disappointing efforts to experiment with an electronic sound on their previous release OMNI.

The band has constructed a well balanced album here. Not one that features the same progressive drumming as we saw on Planet of Ice or the comical titles on their debut (You Kill Bugs Good, Man), but Infinity Overhead feels more complete, if a bit too radio friendly for our liking.

Opener Steel and Blood features unpredictable lyrics and a bravura riff from guitarist Dave Knudson. Stand-out tracks such as Lonely Gun, in which a pop-friendly chorus is balanced out by subtle electronic influences and a wild card sax at the end, are complimented by the slower, more melodic Heaven is a Ghost Town.

Taken as a whole, Infinity Overhead is musically and stylistically a step in the right direction for Minus the Bear, and long may it continue that way.

Visit www.minusthebear.com.

Bethany Rex