review from nightshift (issue 119 june 2005)

LIFE WITH BEARS
Initial impressions are good. Life With Bears' demo comes in a hand-stencilled case and the first track, "The Way We Found Her", is all harsh Cabaret Voltaire-style synthetics, cheap drum machine and fake robotic vocals. In fact it sounds a lot like Fad Gadget and that makes us very happy. Like so much old synth-pop it sounds painfully forced but that goes with the territory. Shame they then blow it completely with two tracks of wanky old acoustic indie schmindie wimp pop and student folk-pop whimsy. Stop moping and take some proper drugs! And so they do, returning almost to form with "Smiles On Pretty faces" which is an awkward, wonky new wave funk thing that could be a very low-rent Talking Heads and has electronic handclaps and everything. That's better. Hope you've learned your lesson.



review from salvo (issue 2 september 2005)

Life With Bears Self titled
This reeks of 80's nostalgia; simplicity is more for these guys. First track: "The Way That He Found Her" includes almost spoken word vocals roll over electronic drum loops involving hand claps and a superb descending bass line. The vocals challenge the listener - it's not out of tune but if you imagine Belle and Sebastian with more attitude you'd be aiming for the right sort of target. The second track: "Dressed Like The Good Guy" is a slightly different affair, we still have the electronic beat, but this time Life With Bears have involved a simple acoustic guitar line also, a more catchy chorus involving "it's a sizable maze but the exits are clearly marked" as lyrics, kind of makes you wonder exactly which brew of tea these guys drink? The demo includes two more tracks but they aren't availible for download. The website gives nothing away althoughit is a rather nice shade of florescent pink shell suit anyone? Visit it at http://homepages.tesco.net/drew.hewson?lifewithbears.htm - not the easiest to remember but the tracks are worth a blast.
Duncan Buchanan