AUGUSTA, GA - Though it may seem so at first listen, Benjamin Bear's
"Lungs" is not an easy record to penetrate, either categorically or
critically. The simple-as-you-want-it setup of Mychal Cohen
(piano/vocals) and David Stern (percussion) belies a lurking
complexity, both musically and lyrically, whose idiosyncrasies can
only be persuaded to reveal themselves over the course of multiple,
very attentive sessions, preferably while you crouch in the corner of
your living room, a neglected beer slowly warming at your hip.
Trust me, it makes sense. The overarching tone of the album espouses
an anguished attempt to crawl out from the forgotten shadows; whether
these songs are strictly autobiographical is anyone's guess, but Cohen
does a superb job in any case of making you believe that he's been
wronged by a lover, a friend, or the whole damn world. In that regard,
"Lungs'" quiet highlight "God Damn Thing" is notably affecting,
simmering and seething while Cohen croons, imagining driving "to the
edges of the earth/where reason and knowledge/mean a goddamn thing."
The rising musical crescendo and near-tortured wail that caps off the
track then turns its fragile solemnity into a 45 seconds so harrowing
that it's almost too uncomfortable for a third party to bear.
To reiterate, this is far from your standard singer/songwriter duo.
Stern's drum work switches from understated to cacophonous at the drop
of a hat, and Cohen's piano takes on an almost gypsy-like cadence
during the verses of "Frictionless." Also exhibited is a surprisingly
nuanced attention to wordplay; in opener "Station Rest Release," Cohen
howls the seemingly simple statement "All I wanted was love from you."
It's an indication that this is the only thing he wants in the world,
period, and, were it phrased "All I wanted from you was love," the
sentiment would be a very different one indeed. As it is, the line is
worth lengthy philosophical discussion, as it brings even more to
light the narrator's completely isolated emotional state.
"Lungs" doesn't initially grab you by the jugular, but it neither
needs nor intends to, content instead to administer the weight of its
shattered romanticism gradually, evenly, and poetically. Vitriolic and
truly heartbreaking.
Benjamin Bear,
"Lungs"...
Metro Spirit - Augusta, GA....
BY JOSH RUFFIN
Benjamin Bear is an excellent, two-piece indie rock band from here in Seattle with Mychal Cohen on vocals and keys and David Stern on drums. They came across my radar through bribery and alcohol - and I am sure glad they did.
I've loved their 2008 album Lungs quite a bit, especially piano-driven song "Russ". It's a catchy, Ben Folds-ian pop song with dark lyrics but an upbeat melody.
The last thing that I enjoyed with the word bear in it was The Bernstein Bears. God I miss good old fashioned tales about going to the candy store or going to the dentist. Anyways, this time around we are giving the eccentric duo Benjamin Bear’s record a spin or two to see if these “Lungs” can withstand the depths of criticism I’m prepared to pull this album down to. It’s fairly rare that a duo is able to make music complex enough to become interesting (unless they cheat and have a couple “touring” musicians and aren’t really a duo. Luckily for us and more surprising still, Benjamin Bear sports only two true members and guess what, they only play drums and keyboards.
You might be reading this and thinking to yourself “….what the hell, I don’t want to listen to some lame keys with bland percussion and no guitars!” And you would be half right. There isn’t a string section on this record, but it works well for “Lungs.” Mychal’s emotional vocals are both solemn and sweet while also having a raw texture in places that may seem be a bit rough. His piano is charged and layered in such a way that you don’t miss your precious guitars. The same thing is true for the enigmatic drums served to us by David.
But not only do we have energetic and odd indie here, we also have slow building tender almost classical sections that take this record to another level. An example is the jumpy but also unhurried progression based song “Frictionless” which is simply beautiful. I came in to Benjamin Bear’s latest album expecting a unmemorable affair with little distinction between it and other groups, but “Lungs” has really surprised me. It teaches that the whole is bigger than the sum of its parts and that even though piano and drums on paper may not sound like a complex and energy filled affair, but it really is. Despite some rough areas in the vocal department at times, this record is quite stunning and it truly has the lungs to breathe in a sea of flat acts. ~Staff
Benjamin Bear's Lungs by Alison Sikes January 7th, 2009 artists, cast
members, music
Benjamin Bear's Lungs is a breath of fresh air
By Alison Sikes
Seattle duo Benjamin Bear's forthcoming album, Lungs, is a breath
of fresh air amidst the city's notorious grunge scene. Self-described
as "stargazer", their piano-heavy music is simply profound and
stunning.
With its use of serene piano harmonies, the first song off of Lungs,
"Station Rest Release," is a heart wrenching and yet beautiful melody
about heartbreak. Benjamin Bear continues their use of a subdued piano
with a dramatic drum line in "Russ", a surprisingly uplifting song
about psychological recovery.
Contradictory to its name, "I Just Wish This Could All Be Different"
combines angst-ridden piano rock and haunting vocals to create the
best song on the album. While Benjamin Button is the only Ben people
are currently conversing about, talk will change to Benjamin Bear when
their first album finally debuts. Hold your breath until Lungs is
released on April 21.
Seattle Sound Magazine
"This emotionally charged pop duo from Seattle, Benjamin Bear exposes it all with the intimate and vulnerable first release LUNGS."
"The first track puts Cohen's vocals on display and Stern keeps the percussion cymbal heavy, which fits well with Benjamin Bear's sound as instrumentation drives the album."
"...as a first go round, Benjamin Bear makes a valiant and impressive effort, leaving anticipation for live performance and future releases."
-Jessica Harbert
Benjamin Bear found its way onto my radar last fall by offering to get me (or another writer at TIG) drunk for coming to their show. While I probably shouldn’t be making any decisions that involve alcohol on Monday mornings at work, I checked the band out and went home very impressed. Singer/keyboardist Mychal Cohen has an earnest, sincere vocal delivery and songwriting style that worked well against the tension David Stern provides and drives on the drums. -KEXP.org blog 1/16/09
Benjamin Bear is a two piece band with Mychal Cohen ..boards and vocals and David Stern on drums. Not just because of their keys/drums setup, but I found the band remind me of The Dresden Dolls. Sure, that particular band is led by a woman (Amanda Palmer) and is much more theatrical but the two bands mine similar territories. The lyrics on a song like “Russ” (“I need all the help I can get; codependent relationship; started in as something I can stop; $80 an hour it will cost”) are thematically similar to, for example, “Girl Anachronism”.
Elsewhere in the set I found Cohen reminding me of TIG favorites like John Roderick and Ben Gibbard with their earnest, heart-on-their-sleeves harmonies and lyrics. Just as I was writing in my notepad that Cohen effectively conveys a sense of vulnerability, the song changed course and he was screaming, but it worked with the song and it did not seem forced.
Off-stage, I found Cohen very friendly and approachable. On stage, I enjoyed his band quite a bit. Talking to him before and after the show, I sensed someone who understands how hard it can be to get someone to take notice of your band. There are definitely more bands than music writers in Seattle and generating coverage can be difficult. In the end, it was worth it. I found a band I liked that I might not have otherwise heard before. In the end, that’s all that matters. Isn’t it?
-ChrisB, September 25, 2008
Threeimaginarygirls.com
This is beautiful rock that seamlessly blends psychedelic, prog rock and ambient genres with a folk pop melody. This music will take you in unexpected directions that are not just musically logical variations, but a journey led by emotions that feel like natural mood shifts despite how vividly contrasting the music is. BB takes you on a trip here where one cannot help to be pulled into the pure emotion of it. Beautifully expressive, quite unique, and entirely magnetic! -MusicNation.com
Here is what one of our fans had to say:
Thank you so much for showing your music to me. The show you did was amazing, I had never heard anything like Benjamin Bear before, but I knew as soon as I heard it that it was something unique and something that I would like to follow up on and continue listening to. You don't know how excited I was to find out you were finished with the album and I cannot wait to get a copy. Keep playing strong.
-Eric
Thanks for being our friend! We're heading into to studio in the next few weeks so stay tuned for new songs/upcoming shows and give us a comment back if you would please :)
Fred joins us one last time at The Alki Tavern in West Seattle and up at The Shanty Tavern in Lake City...Check out these flyers, come to the show. PS: Atleast come to check out my new shoes!
