Bear Bands: Part One

 Grizzly Bear just released Shields, and it's a super good record. But it got me thinking that I'm a huge fan of most bands with "bear" in the band name. Yes, it's true that band names don't mean anything. It's all about the music, maaaannnng. But maybe there's some magical power involved with adding such a majestic and powerful mammal to your image. So, let's take a look at some of these groups over the next few days:

Grizzly Bear

Arguably one of the most relevant bear bands today, Grizzly Bear takes on the form of one of the most notorious members of the bear family. Shields is the band's fourth studio LP, and while it isn't "Two Weeks" played on loop, people still seem to like it. I guess that means we're moving in the right direction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bteY_fs3Y18

Panda Bear

I've had so many arguments with people who still think that Giant Pandas are related to raccoons. That's completely false, and whoever still thinks so has some Wikipedias to read. But, in the end, it doesn't matter to much because Animal Collective's Noah Lennox repurposed the bamboo-eating cuties into his solo project in 1998. Since then, he's been praised for his work on Person Pitch, widely considered one of the best records of the 2000s, as well as last year's Tomboy.

http://vimeo.com/24805967

Bear Hands

Puns based off the second amendment became cliche years ago. But, talking about your unequipped hands while referencing bears hasn't suffered the same fate. Bear Hands' pop packs a punch that needs no brass knuckles. Pygmalion 2011's performance aside, the band's Songs From Utopia Volume One EP (available for free download from the band's website) continues the good vibrations carried on by debut LP Burning Bush Supper Club.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z439uFUv5Ng