Minus The Bear
‘Omni’
(Dangerbird)

Lostprophets guitarist Lee Gaze recently took to Twitter and accused Foals of copying Minus The Bear. Now, The Fly wouldn’t like to listen to anyone who looks more Hollyoaks than Hardcore but there is truth in MTB’s intricate, interlocking riffs and residence on the high-end of their fretboards sharing traits with the Oxford five-piece. ‘Omni’, Minus The Bear’s fourth album, maintains their use of tight dynamics and Jake Snider’s gravelly growl with aplomb. Produced by My Morning Jacket cohort Joe Chiccarelli, there’s a rugged quality to the likes ‘The Thief’ and ‘My Time’ that offsets the rallying guitars nicely and, whilst there’s nothing stunning here, it’s another fine addition to the catalogue of a band who may have – just – begat Foals.

David Renshaw