Solar Bear
Coming out of the Mile-High City, one would expect a big sound out of Denver hardcore punkers Solar Bear.
And the title of their new EP, Captains of Industry, conjures images of noise, machines, power and maybe a little anarchy. Thinking of all that going in, Solar Bear doesn’t disappoint.
The lo-fi noise rock intro serves as an axels and gears quality appetizer to the album. “The Endless Choir” starts with a blast. At first it sounds like a fist-in-the-air tribute to bands like Glassjaw and the Used. But then the song quiets, and a prog-noise rock breakdown ensues, showing there is more than the usual shtick to the band’s attack.
There’s some familiar stuff here, stuff that’s been done plenty before by many other artists. But these guys seem to be smarter, have more talent. It’s easy to scream into a mic and sing about love and loss. It’s even easier to sing about fighting the man. But what separates these guys from the pack and is their ear for melody and sonic atmosphere. Just check out the guitar solo on “Mr. Iconoclast vs. the Captains of Industry” or the outro on “Eating Disorders”
One downside is the screaming can be a little overbearing at times. But there’s too much talent here to ignore. What they do works. They switch dynamics with ease; they have great textures to complement the power chords. Solar Bear definitely has the musical chops to climb into the next echelon of post-hardcore bands.
8 Golden Eggs
Top Tracks: “The Endless Choir,” “Eating Disorders,” “Good for Nothing Misfit Mothers”
thanks dave, glad you dig!