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Bears in Mind

BearsEvery now and then someone tips me off to a an album that I had absolutely no idea existed yet it inevitably becomes fused with my CD player. I just can’t bring myself to remove the disc because quite frankly nothing else is going to sound better.

It happened in 2001 when my brother, Drewl, handed me a copy of the ShinsOh, Inverted World and it happened last year when my friend Aaron shoved a copy of De Novo Dahl‘s Cats & Kittens into my paws.

And I fear it’s happened again. This time courtesy of a post that I stumbled upon at explodingNOW!!!

A post about the Bears.

Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, the Bears make music that is not, in fact, so dissimilar from the Shins. It’s psych rock at it’s finest, calling to mind not only some of my Elephant 6 faves, but also the Byrds, Lovin’ Spoonful, and the Kinks.

Bears AlbumIn a short period of time the Bears’ eponymous debut has quickly become one of my favorite releases of 2006 and for a limited time it can be yours for the low, low price of only $7.

Buy the Bears’ self-titled debut from their website.
Money no object? Buy it from Bears - Bears.

This Post Has 10 Comments

  1. Touchdown! Da Bears! I just ordered it. It sounds great. All I have to say to you for sharing this is: “Yer my Ditka”.

  2. glad i could help! there’s nothing i love more than spreading great music to people who appreciate it.

    bears’ self-released debut is my #1 album of 2006.

  3. Unfortunately not an original name for an Ohio band. Check out The Bears from Cincinnati, OH (www.thebearsmusic.com). Led by Adrienne Belew (of King Crimson fame) The Bears have been making fantastic pop music since the early 1980s. Certainly a Cleveland band should’ve known they were borrowing the name…kind like a band calling themselves Rolling Stones as if the The didn’t matter.

  4. Thanks for pointing that out, Jim.

    I’m a big fan of Adrian Belew but it’s certainly understandable that the Cleveland Bears might not have heard of their southern Ohio brethren before. Especially considering the Cincinnati Bears’ sporadic releases and the number of other rock pools that Belew and company have their pinky toes dipped in (King Crimson, Psychodots, and solo work).

    Let’s just hope that we don’t have another Mazarin v. Mazarin on our hands.

  5. […] BearsBuy it from InsoundPost frequency:  PostsTracks  Found 15 posts matching Bears. Showing 1 – 15: December 11, 2006 Bears in Mind10:40pm |  (((withoutsound))) | RSSEvery now and then someone tips me off to a an album that I had absolutely no idea existed yet it inevitably becomes fused with my CD player. I just can’t bring myself to remove the disc because quite frankly nothing else is going to sound better. It happened in 2001 when my brother, Drewl, handed […]Bears – How To Live Bears – Everywhere Bears – Daydreams Artist:BearsTitle:How To LiveAlbum:BearsLink Text:How to LiveFile Name:03-how-to-live.mp3Bitrate:192 kbpsGenre:PopYear:2006 Artist:BearsTitle:EverywhereAlbum:BearsLink Text:EverywhereFile Name:04-everywhere.mp3Bitrate:192 kbpsYear:2006 Artist:BearsTitle:DaydreamsAlbum:BearsLink Text:DaydreamsFile Name:07-daydreams.mp3Bitrate:192 kbpsGenre:PopYear:2006 September 30, 2006 Bears2:47pm |  Pop n Cherries | RSS Bears : S/T (Unsigned)   I do not remember exactly how and when I heard Bears for the first time but I remember the song very clearly: it was “Still Alright”, a very quiet & saddening xylo-clothed pop moment, and this convinced more than enough to – almost blindly – order the album HERE. Hope youÂ’ll do the same causÂ’ this Cleveland unsigned duoÂ’s debut is shining, fluttering and sparkling from start to finish line, distilling unpretentious but so lovely melodies…bears – Piste 04 Artist:bearsTitle:Piste 04Album:AlbumLink Text:EverywhereFile Name:everywhere.mp3Bitrate:128 kbps POPTERAPI: SEPTEMBER10:42am |  WE SAY DISCO | RSS September var en bra popmånad, sommaren hade precis lagt sig och man orkade åter koncentrera sig på nyktra inslag i vardagen. 1) The Presets – Are You The One? (Van She Tech NYC Rush Remix) 2) Monzano – Poster Boy 3) John Wayne Shot Me – Waiting For The Moon To Rise (Belle and Sebastian cover) 4) The Spinto Band – Brown Boxes 5) The Changes – Water Of The Gods 6) Bears – Never Have to Guess 7) The Mare – Sad Affair …John Wayne Shot Me – Waiting For The Moo… » 091906-john_wayne_shot_me-waiting_for_th….mp3 Spinto band – brown boxes Bears – Never Have To Guess Link Text:John Wayne Shot Me – Waiting For The Moon To Rise (Belle and Sebastian cover)File Name:091906-john_wayne_shot_me-wait ing_for_the_moon_to_rise.mp3 Artist:Spinto bandTitle:brown boxesAlbum:Nashville summer 04Link Text:The Spinto Band – Brown BoxesFile Name:brownboxes.mp3 Artist:BearsTitle:Never Have To GuessAlbum:BearsLink Text:Bears – Never Have to GuessFile Name:never_have_to_guess.mp3Bitrate:192 kbpsYear:2006 September 15, 2006 HODGCAST #312:00am |  goodhodgkins.com – Talking music, bollocks in Cleveland, Ohio since 2006 | RSSThe second half of a short mix I made for my girlfriend. Songs from Belle And Sebastian, Saturday Looks Good To Me, The Minders, Wilco, Bears, and M. Ward. [img] Belle & Sebastian – Funny Little Frog Saturday Looks Good To Me: Since You St… » Saturday Looks Good To Me – Since You St….mp3 The Minders – Don’t Stop Wilco – I’m The Man Who Loves You Bears – Days M. Ward – To Go Home Artist:Belle & SebastianTitle:Funny Little FrogAlbum:The Life PursuitLink Text:Belle And Sebastian: Funny Little FrogFile Name:Belle And Sebastian – Funny Little Frog.mp3Bitrate:270 kbpsGenre:RockYear:2006 Link Text:Saturday Looks Good To Me: Since You Stole My HeartFile Name:Saturday Looks Good To Me – Since You Stole My Heart.mp3Bitrate:180 kbps Artist:The MindersTitle:Don’t StopAlbum:Bright, Guilty WorldLink Text:The Minders: Dont You StopFile Name:The Minders – Don’t You Stop.mp3 Artist:WilcoTitle:I’m The Man Who Loves YouAlbum:Yankee Hotel FoxtrotLink Text:Wilco: Yankee Hotel FoxtrotFile Name:Wilco – I’m The Man Who Loves You.mp3Year:2002 Artist:BearsTitle:DaysAlbum:BearsLink Text:Bears: DaysFile Name:Bears – Days.mp3Year:2006 Artist:M. WardTitle:To Go HomeAlbum:280 M WardLink Text:M. Ward: To Go HomeFile Name:M. Ward – To Go Home.mp3Bitrate:128 kbpsGenre:Alternative & PunkYear:2006 September 12, 2006 Bears: “Since I Met You” (Acoustic)2:24pm |  goodhodgkins.com – Talking music, bollocks in Cleveland, Ohio since 2006 | RSSFrom their recent acoustic performance for Cleveland State University’s WCSB radio station comes “Since I Met You,” a song that I first fell in love with at Bears‘ headlining gig earlier this month. “Since I Met You” reminds me a great deal of The Galactic Heroes—one of the other great underappreciated twee bands of […] [img] Bears – Since I Met You (Acoustic) Artist:BearsTitle:Since I Met You (Acoustic)Album:Live on WCSB September 1, 2006 (edit)Link Text:Since I Met YouFile Name:Bears – Since I Met You (Acoustic).mp3Bitrate:64 kbpsYear:2006 September 7, 2006 PayPal is Back Up!4:06am |  sugartown | RSS [img] So the PAYPAL BUTTON works now — Please donate (so I don’t have to keep talking about this): [img] I want to give a BIG SHOUT OUT TO everyone that has donated so far: FiL, Spin, JC, Matt @ Earfarm, DJ Jolene, Susan, G$, Holly, Jim R, DJ Maz, Chris B & Bo! I appreciate it SOO much 🙂 Really really & truly. And several people donated $25 or more so they…Bears – Everywhere Artist:BearsTitle:EverywhereAlbum:BearsLink Text:BEARS — EverywhereFile Name:bears_everywhere.mp3Bitrate:192 kbpsGenre:whoneedsradio.comYear:2006 August 5, 2006 BEARS7:11am |  WE SAY DISCO | RSS Bears. Ofta jämförda med The Boy Least Likely To, dock utan att ta det för långt eller i någon som helst negativ mening. För så är det verkligen inte. Det är dock väldigt svårt att inte jämföra Bears med TBLLT. Förlåt, björnvänner! Men för att skilja dessa två utomordentliga popakter åt, kan jag erkänna att det finns vissa skillnader rent röstmässigt. Här förlorar Bears, väl? Men har man med en xylofon i varje låt så förtjänar man att länkas nedan: Bears – Never Have to Guess Bears – Everywhere Bears – Everywhere Artist:BearsTitle:EverywhereAlbum:BearsLink Text:Bears – EverywhereFile Name:everywhere.mp3Bitrate:192 kbpsYear:2006 July 22, 2006 Saturday.11:23am |  @ indiechristoph @ | RSS [img] Liars One more week. My blood is starting to boil, my eyes are starting to twitch. One more week till Pitchfork. I know I’m crazy. I just can’t hold it in, man. It’s just going to be crazy-spectacular. I really want to see Liars, because judging from their Drum’s Not Dead album I’d assume they’re pretty badass live. And Jens Lekman, man, that’ll be a show. What about Man Man? I think that’ll be the surprise show of the festival. …Bears – 13 Stay Liars – Let’s Not Wrestle Mt. Heart Attack Jens Lekman – A Higher Power Paris » Patrick Wolf-Paris.mp3 Steven Smith You Already Did » 05-russian_circles-you_already_did-its.m….mp3 Hot Chip – Playboy Artist:BearsTitle:13 StayLink Text:StayFile Name:Bears – Stay.mp3Year:2006 Artist:LiarsTitle:Let’s Not Wrestle Mt. Heart AttackAlbum:Drum’s Not DeadLink Text:Let’s Not Wrestle Mt. Heart AttackFile Name:Liars-Let’s Not Wrestle Mt. Heart Attac.mp3Year:2006 Artist:Jens LekmanTitle:A Higher PowerAlbum:When I Said I Wanted To Be Your DogLink Text:A Higher PowerFile Name:11 A Higher Power.mp3Bitrate:256 kbpsGenre:Indie PopYear:2004 Link Text:ParisFile Name:Patrick Wolf-Paris.mp3 Title:Steven SmithAlbum:Grab That GunLink Text:Steven SmithFile Name:TheOrgan_StevenSmith.mp3Year:2005 Link Text:You Already DidFile Name:05-russian_circles-you_already _did-its.mp3 Artist:Hot ChipTitle:PlayboyAlbum:Future Sounds Of Jazz Vol. 10Link Text:PlayboyFile Name:09 Playboy.mp3Bitrate:193 kbpsGenre:Future JazzYear:2005 July 12, 2006 Da Bears. Daaaa Bears.4:43pm |  Who Needs Radio | RSS [img] At the Acid House Kings show, I found myself talking to some very nice guys who happened to come to NYC all the way from Ohio just to see the Kings and Legends. I came to find out that they have a band of their own, called simply Bears , and these gents were nice enough to hand me a copy of their album when I said I’d like to hear it. I had a feeling that it must be good if these guys like AHK, but holy crap… one listen and it has passed…Bears – Days Bears – Everywhere The Cat Empire – Hotel California (L’hot… » Cat Empire – Hotel California.mp3 Spouse – Voices Carry Artist:BearsTitle:DaysAlbum:BearsLink Text:DaysFile Name:Bears – Days.mp3Bitrate:192 kbpsGenre:whoneedsradio.comYear:2006 Artist:BearsTitle:EverywhereAlbum:BearsLink Text:EverywhereFile Name:Bears – Everywhere.mp3Bitrate:192 kbpsGenre:whoneedsradio.comYear:2006 Link Text:The Cat Empire – Hotel California (L’hotel de Californie)File Name:Cat Empire – Hotel California.mp3Year:2005 Artist:SpouseTitle:Voices CarryAlbum:Catch 22Link Text:Spouse – Voices CarryFile Name:Spouse – Voices Carry.mp3Bitrate:178 kbpsGenre:whoneedsradio.comYear:2004 Sponsored Listings4:43pm | elbo.ws  July 4, 2006 Music Saves Birthday Giveaway Contest (FREE CDs!)12:00am |  goodhodgkins.com – Talking music, bollocks in Cleveland, Ohio since 2006 | RSSTo celebrate their forthcoming 2nd birthday, Cleveland independent record store Music Saves will be giving away some goodies through Good Hodgkins! And before you ask, this giveaway is open to all readers of Good Hodgkins, not just those in Cleveland. The winner of the contest (details to follow) will have their pick of any three […]Bears – 13 Stay MP3 » Grandady – Jeez Louise.mp3 Artist:BearsTitle:13 StayLink Text:MP3File Name:Bears – Stay.mp3Year:2006 Link Text:MP3File Name:Grandady – Jeez Louise.mp3 June 29, 2006 Covered In Bears9:40pm |  Turquoise Days | RSSSo this week I got an email from those fine folks at Insound telling me that because I have previously purchased something by The Shins and/or Belle And Sebastian I should check out the album by The Bears and because I’m open to subtle marketing of this ilk (by the way have you clicked on the twix link up there to your left??) I did and discovered that their self titled debut album is a pop gemBears – Everywhere Bears – Walk Away Artist:BearsTitle:EverywhereAlbum:BearsLink Text:- Bears – EverywhereFile Name:Bears-Everywhere .mp3Year:2006 Artist:BearsTitle:Walk AwayAlbum:BearsLink Text:- Bears – Walk AwayFile Name:Bears-Walk.mp3Year:2006 June 23, 2006 From the schoolhouse4:49pm |  indie don't dance | RSS [img] The walls are bare. My voice sounds louder now that the sound is no longer muffled by colorful charts and pictures. Boxes are packed full with markers, crayons, and various knick knacks. Cubbies were emptied of folders, journals, and workbooks. Families will probably cringe at the sight of all of the random items that their children will magically pull out of their bookbags. Old markers, random charts, flash cards, and books that are losing their spines. To the undiscerning eye it is trash that will end up in the trash can one day. However,…Bears – Goodbye Song The Decemberists – July, July! John Denver – Take Me Home, Country Roads Feist – Mushaboom Artist:BearsTitle:Goodbye SongAlbum:BearsLink Text:Goodbye SongFile Name:11_Goodbye_Song.mp3Bitrate:160 kbpsGenre:Alternative & PunkYear:2006 Artist:The DecemberistsTitle:July, July!Album:Dan’s MixLink Text:July, JulyFile Name:03_July,_July!.mp3Bitrate:160 kbps Artist:John DenverTitle:Take Me Home, Country RoadsAlbum:Almost Heaven: John Denver’s America (The Original Cast RecoLink Text:Country RoadsFile Name:07_Take_Me_Home,_Country_Roads _1.mp3Year:2005 Artist:FeistTitle:MushaboomAlbum:Let It DieLink Text:MushaboomFile Name:02_Mushaboom.mp3Bitrate:192 kbpsGenre:PopYear:2004 June 9, 2006 Bears10:53am |  Raven Sings The Blues – Indie Rock News Media MP3s | RSS [img] Honestly I’ve never been the biggest fan of Twee. I can dig the scarfpop set in their hornrims and all, but honestly beyond Belle and Sebastian much of its cutesy innocence is lost on me. Cleveland, Ohio duo Bears definitely have some Twee leanings but something about them totally works for me. Maybe its just that they aren’t as sunny. There’s a great bittersweet quality to their debut album, even when the melodies brighten Bears keep just a hint of weariness in the lyrics that I can relate to. Simple and intimate, its…Bears – Bears_Never_Have_To_Guess.mp3 Bears – Everywhere Artist:BearsLink Text:Never Have to GuessFile Name:Bears_Never_Have_To_Guess.mp3Year:2006 Artist:BearsTitle:EverywhereAlbum:BearsLink Text:EverywhereFile Name:Bears_Everywhere.mp3Bitrate:192 kbpsGenre:Alternative & PunkYear:2006 May 15, 2006 Bears – Bears1:00am |  goodhodgkins.com – Talking music, bollocks in Cleveland, Ohio since 2006 | RSSIt’s pouring outside and I’ve just been turned away from a sold out Minus The Bear show at The Grog Shop. I checked the 10 day forecast and it’s supposed to be like this at the very least until next Sunday. Possibly longer. And ordinarily I’d be pretty bummed about this. […]Bears – 04 Everywhere Bears – 01 Never Have To Guess Artist:BearsTitle:04 EverywhereLink Text:EverywhereFile Name:Bears – Everywhere.mp3Year:2006 Artist:BearsTitle:01 Never Have To GuessLink Text:Never Have To GuessFile Name:Bears – Never Have To Guess.mp3Year:2006 May 14, 2006 Watch out for Bears !!5:14pm |  Sensory Overload | RSS [img] The twee pop explosion is growing exponentially daily (in fact, Sweden has so many twee pop bands it seems that there must be in the water!). This is reflective in the recent popularity of bands such as Camera Obscura, Acid House Kings, and Boy Least Likely To. Often Cleveland tends to lag behind when it comes to such trends. Lucky for us, in Chagrin Falls no less, Bears (you may recall us mentioning them in a post last week) were conceived. Bears consists of Craig Ramsey (also of The Lovekill and formerly of Kiddo)…Bears – Never Have To Guess Bears – Stay Artist:BearsTitle:Never Have To GuessAlbum:BearsLink Text:Bears – Never Have to GuessFile Name:01 Never Have To Guess.mp3Bitrate:160 kbpsGenre:PopYear:2006 Artist:BearsTitle:StayAlbum:BearsLink Text:Bears – StayFile Name:13 Stay.mp3Year:2006  […]

  6. […] Just as the Bears album has been glued to Seamus’ cd player, Rock Plaza Central’s latest offering has similarly adhered itself to mine. The songs beautifully alternate between themes of apprehension to stock-sure confidence, frustrated naivety to enlightened clarity, and gritty disrepute to shining glory. The music grinds and soars accordingly, accenting the multifarious feelings and emotions triggered by our robotic friends’ transformational journey. Needless to say, it’s a well-bred affair. […]

  7. […] As I mentioned in an earlier post, the Shins first album, Oh, Inverted World, was one of those albums that blew me away when I first heard it. I wouldn’t, nay, couldn’t listen to anything else for quite some time, as nothing else seemed to measure up. Needless to say, the follow-up, Chutes Too Narrow, was much anticipated. And, while it didn’t veer to far from the successful formula of the debut, it also didn’t rise to the same heights. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable continuation of the journey and it, too, has graced my CD player more often than not. […]

  8. […] 10 Grizzly Bear – Yellow House Grizzly Horse, er I mean Grizzly Bear, not to be confused with the Ohio band Bears saluted by Seamus, is a different breed of bear all together. Their sound doesn’t come across fierce as one would think a Grizzly Bear would sound, but more eloquent and precise with orchestra-like sweeping arrangements. The album is titled Yellow House after the house that they recorded the album in, but I think it describes their sound best. The album sounds like an old Victorian-style house filled with centuries of mysteries. I, for one, am compelled to solve them. Who else is in? […]

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