Bears From Labrador - Wilderness EP out 10th November 2008

November 2, 2008, 05:28 PM

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What you gonna do when the money's gone?

In a music scene where lyrics about crisps pass as social comment, we need a band that dares to think further than yet another Friday night of posturing and pissing it up at the local pit.

The menacing groove of ‘God’, the opening salvo from their debut EP ‘Wilderness’, shows that Bears From Labrador are that band. Over a louche, Emotional Rescue-era Stones swagger, the soulful croon of singer Dylan Rippon expounds upon the empty vase of organised religion and our fear of the truth in a world where boys soldiers are numbed to barbarity for the pursuit of power.

“What are you gonna say when God has come for you?” they ask, amidst a building flurry of bluesy fuzz and imposing beats.

A wild fire blowin’ on the breeze .

From thunderclaps and mariachi trumpet erupts ‘Trees’, the Bears blistering call to arms. The thrumming bass of Rob Cann duels with spiteful guitars. It’s dramatic and visceral, threatening and foreboding, transposing the minutiae of modern day, Middle Eastern conflict with the beginnings of the American Civil War.

Proving that rock’n’roll can be provocative without being pompous, a violent cry of “Gunfight!” sees the thrilling brass lead to the synapse-crushing drum rush of Gregg Braden, underpinned by a Ziggy Stardust-acoustic thrash and stabs of untamed guitar that move asses as well as emotions when the Bears hit the stage.

Through the chaos, round the fires.

There ain’t many bands about today with the brains or the balls to admit to being influenced by Emily Dickinson, but by referencing ‘The Brain, within its Groove’, Bears From Labrador dare to do just that.

From the ashes of the fire that came before, ‘The Flood’ is a majestic, sweeping campfire torch song, casting the imagery of spent love about your feet like the wondering spirit of leaves in the autumn wind.

You might think you know what’s goin’ down .

The seditious structure of ‘Rearview’ sums up what Bears From Labrador are all about. Inspired by the electronic age oracle Marshall McLuhan, its fluid beat and plaintive horns introduce a Dylan-gone-cowpoke insistence and insight. It is a paen to the disengaged and disillusioned that immerses you in an unearthly sonic wilderness.

At a time when most bands ambition stretches as far as a top 20 single and a fumble with the trust fund spawn of an ageing rock dinosaur, we need a band that dares to look beyond, that dares to reach for the stars.

Bears From Labrador dare.

The EP is released by the band's own label "Hero Rhymes With Zero" on 10th November 2008 and will be available on CD format and from iTunes USA and iTunes UK

http://www.myspace.com/bearsfromlabrador

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