Seabear
We Built A Fire

If you like Broken Social Scene, this is a highly recommended album; if you don't like them, still, it's recommended. Scandinavians are known for being a natural extension of pop, albeit in a more introspective dimension compared to the mainstream indie of Canadian collectives.

Seabear occupies an intermediate spot that in its best moments, blends the overwhelming sound of bands like Arcade Fire or Broken Social Scene with the more gentle and intimate sound of Nordic pop.

The tracks with immediate appeal are not lacking in this second effort by the Icelanders: "Lion Faced Boy", "Fire Dies Down," marked by Arcade Fire, "I'll Build You a Fire," in the spirit of Drew and company, "Softship," my favorite song on the album, a mesmerizing spiral of Yo La Tengo fabric. The most spontaneous tracks are those where the band sets aside the desire to emulate their musical references to play from the heart. This is when a folksy soul emerges, bordering on country: "Singing Arc," "Pocket Knife," "Wooden Teeth," and "Leafmask I and II." But once the banjo is set aside, the best arrives: "We Fell off the Roof," with its ups and downs, the elegant "Bright House," "Doctor," accompanied by incredible violins. "Cold Summer" is a sincerely moving track while the captivating "Wolfboy" energetically closes the album.

An album of rare intensity. It should be consumed wisely to fully appreciate the talent of this band. The greatest and unfortunately frequent risk with these albums is the lightheartedness with which they are approached. But you know, when the substance is enormous, it's hard to measure.

PS: The review was made with the bonus version containing the EP "Singing Arc."