Review
Heading into Infinity Overhead some doubts were cast over the direction that Minus the Bear was headed. Omni represented a substantial shift towards a popper, slicker sound and unsurprisingly it was met with some resistance. While I completely enjoy the album, even I can admit to not quite getting into as much as the likes of Menos el Oso and Planet of Ice. With the release of Infinity Overhead it seems that the band heard the complaints loud and clear. While it may not be another Planet of Ice or Menos el Oso, Minus the Bear's latest offering finds them back on track.
From top to bottom, there really is no low point to be found in the album. While there is no weak track to be found on the album there are some real standouts, most notable of which being Diamond Lightning and Cold Company. Diamond Lightning is just phenomenal. I can't help but get chills every time I listen to it, it's that good. Meanwhile, Cold Company really stand outs because of how strongly it draws from one of Minus the Bear's strongest albums Planet of Ice, bringing back many of the elements that made that album memorable. Another noteworthy track is Listing, which brings a dominantly acoustic sound that allows it to stand out from the rest of the album and accentuate Jake Sniders smooth and powerful vocals.
Drawing from their past works, Infinity Overhead offers an incredible amount of variety. From the poppy, uptempo, and incredibly catchy groove of Lonely Gun, to the chill and atmospheric Diamond Lightning the album encompasses a broad spectrum of styles and moods. Not only is there variety to found stylistically, but through influences drawn from their past albums. From Menos el Oso to Omni, every album is covered. As noted earlier in my discussion of stand out tracks, Cold Company sounds as if it was pulled straight out of Planet of Ice, while Zeroes would sound right at home in Menos el Oso, and Empty Party Rooms would fit perfectly in Omni.
Verdict
Infinity Overhead is really the complete package, offering elements from all of their previous albums while still continuing to forge forward into new territory much like it's predecessor OMNI. Some may take an issue with that, complaining that it just isn't Highly Refined Pirates or that it doesn't more strongly resemble their past work. As long as they stay true to and in touch with their roots as they have in Infinity Overhead I have absolutely no problem with their music continuing to evolve as it has. Sure I too absolutely adore the older material, but that by no means blinds me to the brilliance of their new work.
Score
[5/5]
Top Picks
Diamond Lightning, Listing, Cold Company
