Tag: Grizzly Bear

After extensively touring the Veckatimest album, Grizzly Bear took time off before regrouping to work on their fifth studio album, Shields. The band reconvened in Marfa, Texas before scrapping those sessions and starting again at singer Ed Droste’s family’s house in Cape Cod with bassist Chris Taylor once again producing. The foursome created an album that was a bit more raw and in your face than previous efforts.  First track and single, “Sleeping Ute” is dramatic with crashing guitars and drums and “Half Gate” gets darker, more sinister as it wears on.

On several tracks, it’s the drumming of Christopher Bear that really stands out.  His work on “Speak in Rounds” stands out amongst in the intricate guitar work, and the rhythm section really lock in during the excellent “A Simple Answer”. Both Ed Droste and fellow singer Daniel Rossen both have their moments among the album’s 10 tracks. A true collaborative effort, Shields was the band’s highest charting album in the US (#7) and is another excellent piece of work.

8.5/10

In 2008, the Brooklyn formed band Grizzly Bear drew the enviable slot of opening for Radiohead during their North American tour. The four members of the band then headed to Cape Cod to work on their third album that would eventually become Veckatimist. Sung by Daniel Rossen, the album opens with “Southern Point” that contains a jazzy introduction and euphoric percussive chorus.  The memorable keyboard opening and “ooohhhs” to “Two Weeks” are unmistakable on a song that also features backing vocals from Victoria Legrand from Beach House and swooning vocals from Ed Droste.

A cool bass strut opens “Cheerleader” where Droste later whispers the vulnerable, “I’m cheerleading myself/I shouldn’t really matter”. The propulsive guitar powers “Ready, Able” that adds keyboard effects at the end and the steady drumming of Christopher Bear who’s work is often a highlight. Bassist and producer Chris Taylor introduces an effective spare tension in “About Face” that uses spaces to let the music breathe.

What’s remarkable about the album is the intricacy of nearly every song’s introduction that create their own little worlds.  Where your love of Grizzly Bear may start/stop is on the dramatic singing of both Droste and Rossen that can make songs sound like they are ripped from a theatrical play.  With all the pieces together, Veckatimist is a quietly beautiful piece of work that at times can swell from its musical depths and suddenly demand attention before floating away again.   

8/10