August 7-13, 2003

musicpicks

Minus the Bear

Rock/pop

If they've got something to say, they don't make it easy to understand. Minus the Bear's sophomore effort, Highly Refined Pirates (Suicide Squeeze), teems with hysterical Don Caballero-esque song titles ("I Lost All My Money at the Cock Fights," "Thanks for the Killer Game of Crisco Twister") that have little to do with the stream-of-consciousness lyrical imagery depicting pills, bars, insomnia and frustration. It's out there, but the Seattle quintet stabilizes their quirkiness with taut and evocative instrumentation. Two guitars battle for attention; math-y licks fill the upper register while nebulous chords rattle on the low end. Warm bass tones drive harder numbers and bloopy synthesizer is occasionally added for a softer touch. Drummer Erin Tate anchors the melee with a keen sense of when to be subdued, but more often busts loose with steady and swift kick-drum thumps as the toms roll and the high hat claps. Dare you not to dance.

Sat., Aug. 9, 9 p.m., $8, with We Ragazzi, Trouble Everyday, Liars and Magicians, The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888.

—John Vettese