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6 out of 10
Creative drumming is much maligned in my opinion. I blame Shuvel from M People for making percussionist look stupid, but the opening track of Beast Rest Forth Mouth is saved solely by the pounding rhythms that begin the record. The rest of the track is a sleepy affair that goes on a little too long.
I’m not sure what that effect that people keep putting over their voices is, whether it’s post production, or a pedal. But I’m getting pretty bored of it. You know the one I mean, that phaser-ey one that makes everything sound far away. One effect doesn’t make it Physc-folk, or acid pop any more than distortion pedals make something metal.
The rest of the record is thankfully more interesting. The plethora of digital sounds mixed with organic vocals gives the record an interesting feeling that’s slightly uncomfortable in a way that makes you strain & question what you are listening to, whilst feeling utterly at home and as if you’d listened to it a thousand times before.
Despite the light airy feel to the production there is a darkness shot through each track like the one grey cloud on a sunny day. This atmosphere gives the album a coherent feel that, whilst considered enough to work, doesn’t feel laboured. It also means at times it’s hard to hear which parts are live & which manufactured.
I prefer the light happiness of the Ganglians or anthemic nature of MGMT, both of whom I’m sure Bear In Heaven will be compared (well, I know they will, I just did) but it doesn’t make this album any less accomplished or interesting to listen to. In the day & age of digital singles it’s really a pleasure to have a band be bold enough to take the listener on a journey they may not understand, but feel compelled to reach the end.
Listen: www.myspace.com/bearinheaven
Tracklist:
1. Beast in Peace
2. Wholehearted Mess
3. You Do You
4. Lovesick Teenages
5. Ultimate Satisfaction
6. Dust Cloud
7. Drug A Wheel
8. Deafening Love
9. Fake Out
10. Casual Goodbye
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