Casey Gallenberger’s thoughts:
Spirit of the Bear may have only released their self-titled LP last year, but this hasn’t seemed to slow them down. Their latest EP proves them as one of the most industrious modern indie acts out there, this coming in parallel with sister project Ghost Soul also releasing new music. Vocalist/guitarist James Harker has been busy.
There’s No Such Thing as Fire should not be any sort of sonic surprise to previous fans, albeit in an “expect the unexpected” sort of way. There are hints of folk, late 90s pop, soul, and even AJR-flavored whatever (okay, I don’t enjoy making this comparison but rest assured SOTB does it far better). As usual, the songs are rhythmically-intense, contain plenty of falsetto, and can generally be classified as “pretty chill”.
Admittedly, this is a concise EP. There are plenty of upsides to this, but there are a couple ideas I’d like to see developed further. Opener “At Least I Can Feel” is a shorter track, and while it’s not necessarily an intro, it definitely ends right as momentum starts building. The Brittany Spears/Justin Timberlake feel of “Live On The Sun” is a fun change up that adds a bit of a darker edge to the band’s sound that could be fun to expand upon on subsequent releases.
But by and large, the group has crafted an EP that showcases some of their strongest work to date. It’s the musical equivalent of a sampler tray. You’ve got all the staples here to figure out what SOTB is. And if you’re a regular at the SOTB café, you can expect familiar taste and quality. It’s the accessibility and catchiness of pop with the talent normally found in more obscure types of bands. SOTB will remind you of countless bands you’ve heard before, all while continuing to add to the musical genome with ease.
It’s not too late to add SOTB to your summer soundtrack – it might be just what you need as things wind down.
Mark McConnville’s second opinion
This is a memorable EP from Columbus act Spirit Of The Bear. The band channel their thoughts through their music, interconnecting every moment with their frantic memories, and placing every ounce of their energy into what they believe in. And this type of music has the clarity and the foundations, and a calming vibe, while the lyrics and the sonic influences merge together. Not loud or hard on the ears, There’s No Such Thing As Fire, creates a soothing backdrop.
Acoustic charm floods the record. Every instance has that appeal, and the musicians here do not know where they’re going in this world, and their hearts are triggering panic. At times, the songs on this EP fluctuate into more of a varied pattern, which only increases the listening experience. These tracks also tell us that these musicians experience pain and misfortune, and their world isn’t pretty like it should be.
With instrumental extravagance, the EP has the quality of raising hairs and turning heads. The poppy elements will take you back to the middle point of the 80s, and they will make you move your feet in unison. Lyrically, we’re taken into a world where being on the run brings pleasure, and where falling from the sky without a parachute is commonplace.
At Least I Can Feel starts the EP off in acoustic style. It’s a sombre beginning to a record that doesn’t rely on sadness to pull it through. Live On The Sun merges together 80s sounds with cool guitar strokes. The vocals are intensely upbeat, and the chorus is infectious. Living Alone begins with clean vocals that are calm. The song doesn’t change much in terms of musicality, but it’s a catchy track.
Spirit Of The Bear takes influence from the past. Their music is upbeat, but the lyrics tell us that it isn’t all glossy.
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