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Grumpy Bear:
Hmm... I'm a Little Bit Lonely These Days
For the most part, the debut album from this Arizona duo plays like the patter of a soft rain on a warm winter afternoon. Folk, mingled with a touch of bluegrass-influenced guitar gently complements the murmuring lyrics as Grumpy Bear ambles its way through the ten tracks that comprise HmmIm a Little Bit Lonely These Days. The songs have a definite sway to them, the simple guitars and vocals roll peacefully through the air and land with a softness in the listeners ear. When Tyler Blake and Lattney B. waver from this format, the result is not nearly as successful, but luckily that doesnt happen often. The muted vocals add an element of distance that creates just enough melancholy and mystery to add intrigue to the softness of the guitar. Its a quick listen, and just as the sounds of each individual song begin to acclimate into your eardrums, the track ends. With the exception of tracks one and three the only examples of format wavering, as mentioned above theres a sense of disappointment as the songs rapidly close and the album is ushered out, leaving the listener pleasantly wanting more. The duos two-part cover of Always on my Mind (Keepsake, pt. 1 & 2) is deliciously its own, including Elvis-like electric guitar wails and spoken word vocalization of the lyrics. Part two begins with a four minute instrumental introduction, introduces the lyrics, then the instrumentation thickens with more electric guitar, synthesizer, and a whole delightful climax of experimental sounds that collapse back into the traditional guitar and vocals alone. HmmIm a Little Bit Lonely These Days is a great listen overall. Mellow and soothing with its folk roots, but innovative and engaging in the duos melding of folk, indie and experimental sounds.
Check Amazon, Insound and CD Universe to purchase this album.
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