BLEACHBEAR - "Cowboy Movie Star" CD Review! 7/28/16
Bleachbear
"Cowboy
Movie Star"
Review
Anyone that's been reading Eclectic Arts knows I've been
covering a ton of live shows this year.
I actually have a list that will be posted online soon just to show the
scope and range of the shows covered thus far.
Music reviews are something I don't do nearly as much
anymore. I could do capsule reviews like
I used to do but those become tedious and honestly they don't do much for the
reader. So, when I do a music release
review, there is something of note with that particular artist. In other words - pay attention folks!
The second release from Bleachbear, "Cowboy Movie
Star", has been in the works for quite some time. Tigerlily, Bird, and Emiko are making a
statement with this album. Their brand
of dream pop music is quite evident on this release but with some changes from
their debut, "Lost Parade".
Every artist matures as their careers move forward, some more than
others. If you are a young person (teen
band), I would say the changes are even more profound. These changes are reflected on the changes
between the two Bleachbear releases.
The band has been growing as musicians and as people. They've been playing shows all around the
Seattle area between the two releases and it shows. "Cowboy Movie Star" is a more
straightforward, focused band effort than their debut. The overall style is gritty, definitely more
mature, but it isn't such a drastic change that you don't recognize the band. It's a natural growth that makes perfect
sense.
A very live production on the record, it is reminiscent of a
garage rock style - no coincidence considering Kurt Bloch (of The Fastbacks
fame) produced the record. While this
style gives the listener a great idea of what the band sounds like live, I do
feel some of the tunes could use more production polish to fit the style of
music. I would love to see a remix in
the future of tunes from both releases with said production polish.
The trio has crafted a better follow up to their debut than
most artists. The sophomore slump is
nowhere evident here. From the opening
strains of, "The Love Detectives" and, "Boy", to the last
notes of the title track, "Cowboy Movie Star", the album flows from
strength to strength. There are two
songs that are a little on the below average scale to these ears but that's
because the other tunes are so strong.
The harmonies and instrumentation are strong showing that
the band is becoming more and more confident in their abilities. The song, "26", reflects an
interesting mix of styles for the band.
I truly feel this song could be the springboard to a third album
reflecting the same style.
"Waltzing In The Dark" slows things to mid
tempo. A beautiful title with a
nostalgic vibe, this tune flows right into "Flash Mob" which reminds
me a little bit of a tune that could of fit on their debut, "Lost
Parade".
The one two punch of single, "Sunken Submarine"
and video single, "Somnium" are next.
I don't care what anyone says, amateur or professional opinion, these
two songs should be pushed by management to break the band in the international
market. You read that here first.
The album concludes with the 50's inspired "I Don't
Know", "Circus", and the title track. There are ten songs in all on this sophomore
effort. A fold out digipak presentation
to boot!
Bleachbear is producing clean, infectious pop music that
could easily take off. "Cowboy
Movie Star" swings from dream pop to carefully constructed introspective
tunes that harken back to a bye gone era.
I am still of the mindset that with the right push,
management, etc, Bleachbear could be playing their music to thousands of
fans. The question is - what is the
priority? Being teenagers with bright
futures, this period of being in a band could become nothing but memories in
their adult lives. Or, it could be the
start of something grand that builds beyond their wildest expectations.
It's quite the dilemma for sure. What the future holds for the band, only they
know. For the time being, buy a copy of,
"Cowboy Movie Star", and ponder the dilemma with me.
Cheers!
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Magazine
Photo credit: Seattle Next Door - Taken on 7/24/16 in Ballard, WA
Official Music Video for: "Somnium"
Bleachbear performing, "26", LIVE on 7/24/16 in Seattle, WA
Video Interview - from 4/23/15
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