Minus The Bear, Annuals, 27

Rather appropriate that Minus the Bear's name starts with a mathematical symbol, as "math-rock" is the most common description applied to the band's tricky time signatures and herky-jerky rhythms. Not quite as appropriately named is the band's latest full-length effort, Ice Planet. The cold synthesizers and crystalline guitar parts frequently...

By Jesse Hughey

November 6, 2008

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Rather appropriate that Minus the Bear's name starts with a mathematical symbol, as "math-rock" is the most common description applied to the band's tricky time signatures and herky-jerky rhythms. Not quite as appropriately named is the band's latest full-length effort, Ice Planet. The cold synthesizers and crystalline guitar parts frequently feel icy and detached, sure, but frontman Jake Snider sings with plenty of conviction.

The band's current tour comes on the heels of the release of Acoustics, which is, quite appropriately, an all-acoustic EP. So expect at least some of the songs to have the human, organic touch its electrified output occasionally lacks.

North Carolina-based and quite buzzworthy indie pop act Annuals opens, along with Boston's 27.

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