“Indie Rock” is the genre used to describe “She Bears”, a long time rock band nestled in Columbus, Ohio for six years now. Indie Rock is not a genre or sound that I am particularly familiar with, so you are getting this review fresh off the press of a new set of ears.

As this marks the second full-length album of the She Bears, I of course had to take a listen to their earlier recordings and I was blown away at the maturity and growth of this new album and the attention to detail. Huge props to whomever produced and mixed this album, as it seemed that every 10 to 15 seconds something cool and different was happening that I never would have thought of. As I think of relative comparisons to the group’s sound I honestly cannot think of a band with a more musically put together album than this.

It is no surprise where this style of music derives from; I was stupid to think I was not familiar with the sound they were putting out. I can hear The Rolling Stones, The Ramones, and more recognizable in the instrumentation, Vampire Weekend (formed in 2006)—which is a really neat concept for listeners. Anyone who loves those groups from the 1960’s and 70’s can now get their dosage of rebellious Rock and Roll at a much more relaxing, smooth, and toned down level, while listening to the She Bears.

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There is really only one thing that I would hound on this album and it happens with so many local groups on big albums like this, especially if they have settled into a particular sound—versatility on the album. There is no doubt in my mind that each of these songs is incredible and a real treat to our ears, but I did not truly hear a difference in what I was listening to until “Beach Fires”, the sixth track on the album (I am really getting nit-picky though because each song as a single recording is spot on).

She Bears is going places. Over the next year after the release of “We Will Be Fossils”, it would not be a surprise if this group begins to get some serious recognition on the national level. Columbus, Ohio has become the stomping groups for local and independent musicians to show that they have what it takes to compete with cities like L.A., Nashville, NYC, and Chicago and even national recording and touring artists at that. While it is now on my to-do list to see what they offer live in concert, I have found my driving music for the next few weeks. Well done!

-Spencer Saylor
www.spencersaylor.com
@spenmoneybeats