Into The Mirror – Minus The Bear Into The Mirror – Minus The Bear (Buy)

As any good English teacher would tell you, the prefix OMNI- means all or every. Since, the fourth full-length release from Minus the Bear is in every way different from their previous three and encompasses all the sounds known thus far in the indie rock spectrum, the name Omni seems rather appropriate.

The Seattle-based rockers released their 10-track LP, Omni, a full 32 months since their last album release in 2007 (Planet of Ice). During their lengthy hiatus, the group of five rock musicians took their series of contrived sounds, and turned them into a flowing, melodious record to be somewhat proud of. There’s one recurring problem with this album, and that is that every positive can also be turned into a negative. Its kind of like Mets baseball, even when they win, you really can’t enjoy it.

Jake Snider, Minus the Bear’s frontman, sounds a lot more passionate in his singing on this album. On the flipside, the passion is seemingly there the whole time, even in times when it shouldn’t be. Think of it as a clingy significant other, who adores the hell out of you but sometimes would be better off taking a chill pill.

The record does feature a “chillwave”-type track. Washed Out and Toro y Moi would be proud of Animal Backwards, as the track is just drenched in synth beats like a late night diner salad has too much dressing. The best way to sum up the Minus the Bear discography is as follows; they’ve gone from being to math rock on steroids to traditional indie rock outfit that works out routinely and follows it up with a cheap protein shake.

This is the first Minus the Bear release on new label Dangerbird Records. And with a new label, usually comes a new producer. Grammy award winner, Joe Chicarelli, produced this album, and it’s rather obvious. Chicarelli has worked on albums by Counting Crows, U2, Radiohead, The White Stripes, and is even working on the new album for The Strokes. So having said that, bands that can use the first-class production value benefit from it. Without any disrespect, Minus the Bear is not one of those star-studded bands that needs a producer like Chicarelli. Their first single released, My Time, goes from being enjoyable to enough-synthetic-studio-cuts.

There are undoubtedly flashes of brilliance on Omni, but it still doesn’t leave a great aftertaste in my mouth. I give this album a 3/5.