By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

I was recently given some good advice from a friend that music views should be balanced, and expressed equally. Although I try to keep a positive vibe, let’s be real, there’s tons of shit I’m disappointed with, as I am sure others out in BTB land are too! So I’m taking his advice, and keepin’ it fresh. I’m not here to bash the group, because Minus The Bear are one of my favorite acts, but the new album, Omni, left me minus the liking. The boys from Seattle are not known as mainstream, and I dig the whole starting anew thing, but not when you have so much natural, raw talent. A wise man once said, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

I would love if any of the BTB readers were fans of the group, to please leave this album up for discussion, for maybe I am missing something here. I love all of their work so something just doesn’t seem right. This hurts; I am not your usual “pop is shit” shouter, because I respect musicians in different ways, and what they do. But Omni just feels so insincere, leaving out gritty drama, almost seeming as if they have lost something. The music is less stimulating than normal and generally boring (maybe that’s because I mastered the air drum to their prior release, Acoustics). I’m not saying we should be provided with a carbon copy for all of their work, and I’m sure plenty of forgettable indie bands are going to continue churning out the same music year after year, it’s just sometimes hard for fans who are well established into a group to jump on board so quickly. On the other hand, the band clearly put a lot of thought into the album trying to make something fresh and new for their fans, so I can’t hate on that. I suppose it’s bitter sweet; maybe losing some loyals to gain some newbies.

What do you think? Is my only disappointment coming from my gut knowing how much better the band can be? Not as much guitar, but more electronic and poppy? I feel like I am being introduced to a new group; taking out the musicianship and adding a bunch of mainstream twang.

For the record, I’m still a huge fan. Maybe some of you don’t even know who Minus The Bear is, but I strongly suggest checking out their musical library, and express your opinion. Let’s have a discussion, minus the claws.

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