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June 6, 2007

New Minus The Bear - "Throwin' Shapes"

"Throwin' Shapes" is in and out under three minutes, and you get the sense that Minus The Bear's minds are on the track's interlocking-guit hook with every second, in every section; even the bridge stays close to the chorus, with some components disassembled to remind you the Seattle band has paid its road dues and spent its time in the shed. Accessible track with detours in the soundscapes.

Minus The Bear - "Throwin' Shapes" (MP3)

Minus The Bears' third full-length Planet Of Ice is out 8/21 on Suicide Squeeze.

Posted at 5:21 PM in
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35 Comments

If you like Dark Side of the Moon and you at least sort of like Minus the Bear... this is a great album. Seriously... it's like a Dark Side tribute album.

Posted by: Sam at 06/06/07 5:50 PM | Reply
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I def. can't wait for the new album. It's on my personal most anticipated list for 2007.

Posted by: Kay at 06/06/07 6:46 PM | Reply
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we need the premature evaluation soon.

Posted by: pakman at 06/06/07 7:09 PM | Reply
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seriously? more like rx bandits. . .

minus the good.


ohhhhh!

Posted by: fuzzy wuzzy was a bear at 06/06/07 7:46 PM | Reply
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This song is Awesome! I can't wait for the new record

Posted by: Kelly at 06/06/07 8:33 PM | Reply
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I want to have this bands babies

Posted by: ohhh la la la at 06/06/07 8:34 PM | Reply
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verrrry nice. you gotta see these guys live too.

Posted by: Petryk at 06/06/07 10:10 PM | Reply
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its alright.

Posted by: Guyfromhawaii at 06/06/07 11:33 PM | Reply
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this song is weak compared to older ones, i saw it coming.

Posted by: derek w at 06/07/07 12:45 PM | Reply
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MTB is one of the greatest bands ever...Hands Down. Dredg is another. Can't wait for the record.

Posted by: Morey at 06/07/07 9:47 PM | Reply
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i heard this whole album today, someone i knew had it leaked. it's very different, songs are similar until the last two or so so it runs together, but i bet if i had more time and focus to listen, there'd be something i love about each one, just like on their other cds. i'm very excited to purchase it, and knowingly they're going to be on tour after it, but i'm not sure how i feel compared to menos el oso; one of the best cds i've ever heard.

Posted by: Carolyn at 06/07/07 10:56 PM | Reply
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I totally agree with the comment above i heard the whole CD. after giving it a few listens it becomes a great album. Takes some getting used to some of the darker tones, definetly a pink floyd feel to it as well especially in the end. All said MTB is the best band and this CD will be worth the buy, hopefully they will play everything on tour as tightly as they did on the new album.

Posted by: Jordan at 06/08/07 3:31 AM | Reply
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Minus the Bear is starting to sound more like all my other fave bands (Mars Volta, Facing New York, RX Bandits). Can't complain.

Posted by: fathead at 06/09/07 4:26 PM | Reply
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This is such a great song, from such a great band, made up of such great guys.

Posted by: chelseamae at 06/09/07 9:21 PM | Reply
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i totally agree with the pink floyd statement 100%

Posted by: Brendan at 06/10/07 12:45 AM | Reply
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I'm really enjoying this record. If people want to hear a couple of other songs from it, check 'em out my post over at my blog, Chickens Don't Clap!:

Iced Out and Flossin'

Posted by: Derek at 06/10/07 4:35 AM | Reply
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Erm, apparently I can't use html on here.... O_o

http://chickensdontclap.jakegus.net/?p=38

Posted by: Derek at 06/10/07 4:36 AM | Reply
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listen to mtb's Planet of Ice here:
http://ashbodashmusic.imeem.com/playlist/PcxdU7QD/

Posted by: ashley at 06/10/07 10:06 PM | Reply
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I actually don't think this song showcases their talent as well as some of the other ones off of this album do.
When I saw them live in LA last month they played a couple new songs and I must say...they were by far the best out of the whole set.
I'm REALLY looking forward to getting this album in August, and i'm even more excited for them to start touring again.
Can't wait.

Posted by: Marlee at 06/11/07 3:54 PM | Reply
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I actually don't think this song showcases their talent as well as some of the other ones off of this album do.
When I saw them live in LA last month they played a couple new songs and I must say...they were by far the best out of the whole set.
I'm REALLY looking forward to getting this album in August, and i'm even more excited for them to start touring again.
Can't wait.

Posted by: Marlee at 06/11/07 3:55 PM | Reply
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As the comments above stated, the end of planet of ice turns into a pink floyd tribute album. That being said, the first three tracks are pure minus the bear genius. I wish they had stuck with that throughout the entire album. I dare you to get the beginning of "knights" out of your head after you hear it.

Posted by: emast at 06/12/07 2:58 AM | Reply
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Knights is just by far the most ridiculously catchy and awesome this band has ever released. I can't handle it, trips me out every time.

Posted by: mangen at 06/12/07 6:31 AM | Reply
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someone got the lyrics to ice monster?

Posted by: rachel at 06/12/07 3:14 PM | Reply
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mtb is always good but they are getting played out, Don't you just hate that?


love the new album, can't wait.

Posted by: jpex at 06/13/07 6:20 PM | Reply
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mmmm....icy....

Posted by: Alex at 06/14/07 2:57 PM | Reply
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Got to support minus the bear in the UK. Best live band ive ever seen.

New stuff sounds quite chilled like 'Menos'

Posted by: Adam at 06/15/07 12:45 PM | Reply
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ive been listening to this band for some time now and seen them at least 4 times. when i first heard this album im not going to lie i was kind of disappointed but after listening to it for the past two weeks i am definitely hooked. not to discredit anyone else but this album is a step in the right direction the writing is way more band oriented im real psyched to see them again with the new guy...no offense to him i just dont know his name. oh and i also like the acoustic guitar debut and i think that has a lot to do with the "pink floyd" sound which i also dont necessarily agree with.

Posted by: michael at 06/16/07 7:28 PM | Reply
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oh man, the song is awesome!!!
"menos el oso" was my fave for 2005 and i think the new lp will be the fave for this year.
I LOVE THIS BAND!!!

Posted by: raik at 06/20/07 4:42 AM | Reply
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considering how much i hate the rx bandits (especially matt) i can proudly say the new album does not sound like them...kinda sounds like botch though...

Posted by: Mittens at 06/24/07 12:38 PM | Reply
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I can't WAIT!!! I got into Minus The Bear a little bit after this past xmas and I've become an instant fan! Anticipation is so high right now!

Posted by: Noah at 06/27/07 10:48 PM | Reply
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take "they make beer commercials like this" and "this is what i know about being gigantic" and mash them with "menos el oso" and you will have "Planet of Ice"

Posted by: paperbagfaces at 07/08/07 6:27 PM | Reply
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i got an advance copy cause i work at a college radio station and i must say im pleased! yea its got some ambience to it plus the classic minus the bear feel but its new and has a new personality too. its a good one dont get me wrong. and yea you can compare them to the bandits and some of the other bands listed but dont forget they havent strayed that much from what theyve been doing all along and its been good all along so it remains that way. a few words i can use to describe this one: REVERBERATED, EPIC, GUITAR-FRIENDLY, PULSE DRIVEN LULLABY of BRILLIANCE!
i mean this in the best of ways.
if you have any minus the bear cd you should add this one to the soon to be collection!

Posted by: This shouldnt Matter at 07/13/07 1:36 PM | Reply
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I just moved to Chicago from Seattle in January and recently saw MTB here in Chicago. I had no idea they were so huge. I've seen you guys a ton of times in Seattle and you never fail to amaze me. Can't wait to add the new album to my collection. Peace & Love

Posted by: jill at 07/19/07 2:59 AM | Reply
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lyrics to ice monster, as best as i can make them out:

VERSE 1
You’ve come to this. You were once a liar.
You’ve come to this. Ringing down here. (bringing them here?)
You’ve come to this. You were a liar.
You’ve come to this. Sigh alone now.
You walked on some tall ______ (have no clue what the last word(s) are)
It’s come to this.
You walked on a tall
And we all know you’ve come home to fall.

CHORUS
She’s gone, she’s gone ‘cross the border, man.
And you’re never gonna see her again.
I could give up. Oh, what you do to me.
But your party’s over. It’s done. The end.

VERSE 2
Take a step back. Take a step back. Take a step back, now.
Take a step back and turn yourself around.
The check has been cashed, there’s no stopping it now.

You’re safe, if I’m safe, and if she’s safe, we’re all good.
The sooner we pass this, we’ll all stop our knocking on wood.
Knock on wood.

BRIDGE
It’s come to this (x8)
And we all know that you’ve come home to fall


the whole album is amazing. as a huge mtb fan, i was instantly hooked on "throwing shapes", "when we escape" and "double vision quest" (i had already heard the live versions of "ice monster" and "shapes"). the rest of the album is a little more subtle, but has grown on me even more.

i already pre-ordered the CD and am anxiously awaiting an east-cost tour so i can further support my favorite band.

if you're a sports fan (especially philly sports) check out my blog if you have a chance:

www.poorsportsblog.blogspot.com

Posted by: poor sports at 07/26/07 4:37 PM | Reply
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Love this song - You can also >stream the whole album at MTVu! (Which is fabulous, by the way)

Posted by: SonicSlang at 08/16/07 11:25 AM | Reply
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