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THE BEARS
Car Caught Fire (self-released)
Reviewed by Karl Cable
The Bears is, quite simply, one hell of a band. That they haven't yet found a U.S. distributor for this album is, in my opinion, truly awful.
All four of these guys (Adrian Belew, Rob Fetters, Bob Nyswonger, Chris Arduser) are tremendous players and songwriters. There are thirteen songs on the disc, and everyone contributes. Also, baby boomers that they are, they're both thinking back on the past and giving thought to the inevitability of their own demise. There's more than just a little bit of death on this disc.
At its core, though, this is a happy band, and Adrian Belew seems to be at his happiest when playing in this band with his hometown pals. He starts things off with "Life in a Nutshell," the song of a man truly content with life. "When I die," he says, "remember me with a smile in my eye." This song also gives the album its enigmatic title, and a possible explanation for the reason there has been a gap of fourteen years since the last Bears album. Another Belew tune, "117 Valley Drive," has him looking back happily on his high school days playing in a Beatles cover band in Northern Kentucky. The other AB composition, "Mr. Bonaparte," is a catchy little number with lyrics that are perfectly in keeping with the Bears populist philosophy. Drummer Chris Arduser, whose nickname is "Deathy," and whose other band is The Graveblankets, brings his uniquely bleak outlook with two songs. "What's the Good of Knowing" is about finding out about things you'd rather not have known. "Safe in Hell" is an almost anthemic salute to death. Arduser sings on this album, and does the lead vocals on both of his songs. His voice seems to fit his songs perfectly, though, and I can't imagine that Fetters or Belew could have done better with these two songs. As an added plus, the Bears now have real three-part harmony, and it sounds lovely.
Bassist Bob Nyswonger brings three songs, and as with the other two Bears albums, the Bob songs are special. "When She Moves," built around a deceptively simple two-measure phrase, is a lovely song about the futility of trying to describe beauty. Bob rocks out with "Caveman," yet another seemingly simple tune with a lyric about how maybe we aren't quite as far removed from our ancient ancestors as we like to believe. The last Nyswonger offering is "Sooner or Later," a song about inevitability. This album is full of hooks, and the chorus to this song is one you'll be humming for years, I think.
There's only one group-composed song on this album, but they make up in quality what they lack in quantity. "Waiting Room" is every bit as infectious and fun as any Bears song has ever been.
Now that I've said all of that-if you love music at all, you need to know about Rob Fetters. (Please see the interview with him elsewhere in this month's issue.) He's a brilliant songwriter, a singer who is a joy to listen to, and a guitarist of formidable talents. There are four Fetters songs on this disc, and every one of them marks a high point in the album. The first, "Under the Volcano," hits you from the first note with an irresistible hook and never lets go. Fetters has a look back with "Dave," a beautiful song about a high school friend who committed suicide. Rob and Dave were big "Court of the Crimson King" fans in those days, and as luck would have it, bandmate Adrian Belew just happens to have this other band called King Crimson. Robert Fripp does a guest turn, and plays two lovely, sensitive solos. This is a gorgeous, haunting song. The album comes to a genuine climax with Fetters' third song, "Success." This is a raucous, irresistible (there's that word again) song with the album's most enigmatic lyrics and vocal melody. It's all built on a driving rhythm and a fascinating guitar figure that sounds vaguely Middle Eastern. The band exploits the rhythm in every possible way, with a slow-down middle section, and two slashing guitar solos. Belew goes first, and it's yet another of his fabulous combinations of phrasing and melodic exploration. But Fetters' solo on this song, which comes flying at you like a dive bomber, is a high point on this album, a truly exciting musical moment. Fetters also provides the album's denouement with the final song, "As You Are." Another leap into inevitability, this is one of those great album-ending songs. The chorus is yet another memorable hook, something that you just can't help wanting to sing along with.
As I've said, this album is full of hooks, but these are guys who know what to do with a hook. This disc is packed with music that you may well never tire of listening to. This band has great songwriting, great singing-and most of all-very, very talented musicians who obviously love playing together. BUY THIS ALBUM. This is music that deserves your support. You can get information on how to get copies of this cd by going to the Bears website, www.thebearsmusic.com You can also call the manufacturer, QCA Records direct at 1(800) 859-8401 9:00am to 5:00pm EST weekdays.
© 2002 - Karl Cable