I’ve been waiting for Bear Hands’ full-length debut to surface since their 2007  EP, ‘Golden’.  Somehow, the release of ‘Burning Bush Supper Club’, a few moths back managed to escape my attention.  Now that I’m up to speed with the album, I must say, it was worth the wait.

Bear Hands crafted a well rounded album by sticking to their strengths (“High Society”, “Belongings”, “Tablasaurus”) and exploring a slower, softer side (“Wicksey Boxing” & “Tall Trees”).  They seem to be really good at creating music that’s easy to like (I think it has something to do with their subtle sense of humor).  ‘Burning Bush Supper Club’ is a laid-back, mid-tempo album with a confident swagger.

‘Burning Bush Supper Club’ is available for download here or on iTunes.

Take A Listen: Rumpus Sessions from Bear Hands

Download: Rumpus Sessions (Right click on link and select “Save Target As” in IE or “Save Link As” in Firefox)

Bear Hands – Website

Download: What A Drag (Right click on link and select “Save Target As” in IE or “Save Link As” in Firefox)

If you would like to pick up a couple more free Bear Hands tracks, including a Cale Parks remix of “What A Drag”, head here.

Bear Hands has a few upcoming tour dates:
10/01 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
10/02 – Detroit, MI @ The Magestic
10/03 – Montreal, QC @ Pop Montreal Festival
10/04 – Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix
10/06 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live
10/07 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
10/08 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
10/21 – New York, NY @ CMJ Festival
10/22 – New York, NY @ CMJ Festival
10/23 – New York, NY @ CMJ Festival

Take A Listen: What A Drag from Bear Hands

You can purchase the 7″ here.

Their set-list was rather short on account of them having one album and it was pretty relaxed and casual.  I liked Bear Hands and believe that they will continue to get better as they age like fine wine.

Video: “Sickly Brunette” from Bear Hands

With a debut EP like this, Bear Hands should feel completely comfortable throwing their hat into the musical ring. The Golden EP is a well-rounded introduction to their character and consists of four tracks that are refreshingly rhythmic as well as lyrically intriguing. Bear Hands certainly has all their puzzle pieces present and accounted for.

The Golden EP is predominantly lo-fi, indie rock music loaded with guitar driven melodies and intelligent ironies. Although there are many, one notable element that seems to power Bear Hands like a solar powered rooftop is Dylan Rau’s pleasantly venomous voice. The rawness and purity of his vocal tone infects each song, especially the hooks, with an abnormally addicting affect. Compound Rau’s influence with Bear Hands compelling song arrangements and you get potent music that will get lodged in your brain for days. Even when their music alters the atmosphere into a heightened state, Bear Hands remains patient and hold tight to their nonchalant nature. Their youthfulness and originality transpires into an intangibly cool vibe that permeates through each song. Although they are just out of the gate, Bear Hands is dripping with potential and I for one will be impatiently awaiting their full-length album. Stand Out Tracks: Bad Blood & Long And Lean

* There is a fantastic Bear Hands’ song titled, Vietnam, which is not included on their Golden EP but you can and you should listen to it on their MySpace page.