 |
After releasing two much celebrated full length albums, Golden Bear has come out with their first release in over a year, much to the delight of an ever growing audience left enchanted by the five-piece band. With new bass player Austin Jenkins, Golden Bear offers up Everest, the new digital EP. The sound delivers an often times fuzzy guitar, the delightfully unsure voice of lead singer Chris “Grizzle” Gregory, and the steady tinkling of keyboards that has served as the backbone for this super-group. This five-song collection, highlighting the continual progress of the band, gives longtime fans the same sense of pride one has when watching their best friend’s high school band - providing that your best friend is immensely talented. As for Golden Bear newcomers, prepare to be charmed.
Everest aims to capture the raw energy of a live show. Despite the reservations from the band about releasing such a vulnerable album, this EP pushes through with loose compositions that sound very different from previous work. Even with unpolished tracks, the band manages to maintain obvious composure, showcasing their undeniable talent. With Everest, Golden Bear continues to toe the line between indie-rock and the California brand of power pop, although much less precariously than past albums.
The EP erupts with “Night Lights,” a fist-pumping welcome back to the Golden Bear experience. The grit of Gregory’s voice fits in perfectly with the frantic guitar riffs, setting the pace for the rest of the album. “All the Stars” keeps with the quintessential Golden Bear sound, with a horn providing an experimental touch. Even with increasing levels of maturity, the lighter tracks like “Night Lights” and “All the Stars” take on the rough style of indie-darlings The Get Up Kids. Unlike the Kids, however, Golden Bear is able to construct tracks that, without sounding rigid, alleviate the constant fear of the composition falling apart.
“Future Blues” shifts the sound, showing the obvious progressions that the band has made. The tempo jumping song features chorus-like “bah, bahs” that soar above the layers of sound and melt the heart. This song may be the defining point of the band’s separation from their power pop-ish roots, epitomizing their transition into more complex compositions. “Everest” has all the seriousness of a title track, taking more classic rock approach to the guitar work. The EP finishes with the anthemic “Miracle Machine,” giving the EP a solid, satisfying end, and leaving listeners anticipating the next full length release.
Although the lyrics featured in their latest collection have a darker beat behind them, Golden Bear never crosses into the realm of pretentious sorrow in which so many bands suffer and die. The songs portray the common fears and trials of young adults and young bands alike. Despite the uncertainty of the future expressed in these songs, Golden Bear has nothing to worry about. The band’s tenacious sound assures audiences that they are here to stay.
Websites:
www.goldenbeartheband.com
Myspace
