Three years removed from the riveting full-length debut. HIGHLY REFINED PIRATES this highly stylized Seattle indie-pop group flaunts substantial glitch-riddled prog-pop on their second Suicide Squeeze full-length. Weaving through territories long established by 70s prog-rockers (Yes, Rush), 80s proto punks (Fugazi), and 90s art rock mind-f*cks (Jawbox, Joan of Arc), Minus the Bear invoke the modern love affair between dance driven strategy and lush. Upper Pacific seater rock. Features appearances by Judah Nagler and Josh Staples (The Velvet Teen), Michael Richardson (The New Trust) and Heather Duby.
Reviews:
Seattle's prolific math-pop quintet has hit on a formula that works, dammit, and this sorta self-titled new full-length declines to deviate. Dave Knudson's delicately finger-tapped leads bounce off an increasingly dancepunk'd rhythm section, all of which splatters Pollock-style into frontman Jake Snider's bittersweet girls-girls-girls ruminations.