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Product Description
Product Description
Critically acclaimed fourth studio album by the American indie rock group. Produced by the band's bass player Chris Taylor, the album includes the singles 'Sleeping Ute' and 'Yet Again', and is their first album since 2009's 'Veckatimest'.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Grizzly Bear's fourth album "Shields" is one to work at and preserver with. On first listens its all a bit complex, fussy, unsettling and wayward. There is no Beach Boys style pure pop such as "Two Weeks" to draw you in, or razor sharp indie rock like "The Knife" to play over and over again. The band comprising Daniel Rossen, Ed Droste, Chris Taylor and Chris Bear decamped to Texas in an abandoned military base and were fed musically on an eclectic diet of rap and Talk Talk's magnificent "Laughing Stock'. The latter is an album which creeps up on you by revealing more of itself on every listen like a musical striptease and its pleasing to report that "Shields" plays a similar waiting game to the new listener. The opener "Sleeping Ute" has been round the music blogs as much as Sir Chris Hoy has covered the Olympic velodrome track. It is because of this that what would sound like a strange start now seems so familiar. Its swirling psychedelia with a heavy pop slant for some reason reminds this reviewer of a 10cc song that is about to spontaneously combust. It punches and rages until 3 minutes in it turns into a a flowing Spanish sounding acoustic ballad with a lovely Droste vocal. This album is all about layers and the free flowing "Speak in rounds" has so much going on in the background that the listener struggles mentally to pick up its different parts. But then it clicks and all of a sudden its one of the albums best tracks.
More pop orientated but by equally demanding are songs such as "Yet Again" where Droste starts off with the big claim "Yet again we're the only ones/no surprise this is often how its done". This is no idle boast for its hard to think of many bands that plough this particular furrow which at its best can be completely compelling.... Read more ›
More pop orientated but by equally demanding are songs such as "Yet Again" where Droste starts off with the big claim "Yet again we're the only ones/no surprise this is often how its done". This is no idle boast for its hard to think of many bands that plough this particular furrow which at its best can be completely compelling.... Read more ›
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Kenneth
Format:Audio CD
I'm not gonna pull any punches on this one, Grizzly Bears fourth studio album is an unmitigated triumph! A bounty of immaculate pleasures of earth shattering transcendence and just about the best gosh darn album I've heard all year. The pristine detail and expansive orchestration on Veckatimest is basically ripped apart and frenetically reassembled on Shields, with drums that are more clattering, guitars that ring with a greater insistence and a multiplicity of other instruments that are forcefully used to generate a truck load of indomitable impact.
On opener "Sleeping Ute" the cavernous resonance of Veckatimest is brilliantly paired with the otherworldly dreaminess of Yellow house to re-imagine the two in stunning Technicolor. Its Flailing cymbal splashes, unidentified electronica and chugging guitar chords delightfully introduce the song and Daniel Rossen's impeccable fingerpicking brings it to a serene finish. It's rare that a song can undergo so many twists and turns without disappearing into sea of formless confusion, but Grizzly Bear make it look so easy on "sleeping ute" and practically repeat the process 8 more times on shields to prove how well their chaotically complex approach can be adapted into writing memorable songs.
"Yet Again" places angular guitars, propelling Harmonies and a loose drum fill into an inimatable pop format, before cathartically exploding itself at the 4.30 mark. "Whats Wrong" blends Cool Jazz and folk rock so seamlessly you'd have thought the two genres were seperated at birth and "A Simple Answer" juggles a "Linus and Lucy-esque" piano refrain whilst stacking Rossen's gorgeous croon, synths, busy guitar, harmonies and even a frickin saxophone at one point.... Read more ›
On opener "Sleeping Ute" the cavernous resonance of Veckatimest is brilliantly paired with the otherworldly dreaminess of Yellow house to re-imagine the two in stunning Technicolor. Its Flailing cymbal splashes, unidentified electronica and chugging guitar chords delightfully introduce the song and Daniel Rossen's impeccable fingerpicking brings it to a serene finish. It's rare that a song can undergo so many twists and turns without disappearing into sea of formless confusion, but Grizzly Bear make it look so easy on "sleeping ute" and practically repeat the process 8 more times on shields to prove how well their chaotically complex approach can be adapted into writing memorable songs.
"Yet Again" places angular guitars, propelling Harmonies and a loose drum fill into an inimatable pop format, before cathartically exploding itself at the 4.30 mark. "Whats Wrong" blends Cool Jazz and folk rock so seamlessly you'd have thought the two genres were seperated at birth and "A Simple Answer" juggles a "Linus and Lucy-esque" piano refrain whilst stacking Rossen's gorgeous croon, synths, busy guitar, harmonies and even a frickin saxophone at one point.... Read more ›
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By avid fan
Format:Audio CD
I won't be as eloquent as the reviews already posted, but just to be short and sweet -it's brilliant.
I picked up Veckatamist a few years back but despite my trying I just couldn't get into the sound, but this album draws you in from the outside. Stunning tracks, the highlights for me being Yet Again and A Simple Answer.
Not wanting to sound too precious about it, but I don't think I fet this emotionally blown away by the music since Bon Iver's last. Damn, too late.
I picked up Veckatamist a few years back but despite my trying I just couldn't get into the sound, but this album draws you in from the outside. Stunning tracks, the highlights for me being Yet Again and A Simple Answer.
Not wanting to sound too precious about it, but I don't think I fet this emotionally blown away by the music since Bon Iver's last. Damn, too late.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By degrant
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD
Newcomers to the Grizzly Bear world (or should that be bearpit?) reading the flurry of reviews of "Shields" over the last week might be justified in thinking that this is the release which signifies the band's transformation from restless time-shifters to purveyors of a more languid, pastoral sound, steeped in the heritage of Americana (or from Dirty Projectors to Fleet Foxes, to mention two bands with whom Grizzly bear are often compared).
The reality is, inevitably, more interesting and complex. For all the protests of long term fans that certain songs sound like Coldplay, GB were always more accessible and less obviously cerebral than a number of their contemporaries as evident on previous albums "Yellow House" and "Veckatimest". Indeed a number of people have described "Shields" as less immediate than its predecessor and a "grower" while to my mind, at least, it is a refinement and crystallisation of the band's art. The sound is still subtle but more muscular in an utterly non bombastic way. Opener "Sleeping Ute" has a rhythmic snap which throws a nod to early Talking Heads or Wire but with the sheen of Mercury Rev's "Deserter Songs" or Beck's "Sea Change". The guitars on "Yet Again" still have the texture before but seem to sparkle more brightly and complement Ed Droste's wistful, sepia-toned voice.
Towards the end, "Shields" threatens to become a bit too "The Long and Winding Road" before the intriguing closer "Sun In Your Eyes" summon up the spirit of Plush's "More You Becomes You" and High Llamas' "Gideon Gaye".... Read more ›
The reality is, inevitably, more interesting and complex. For all the protests of long term fans that certain songs sound like Coldplay, GB were always more accessible and less obviously cerebral than a number of their contemporaries as evident on previous albums "Yellow House" and "Veckatimest". Indeed a number of people have described "Shields" as less immediate than its predecessor and a "grower" while to my mind, at least, it is a refinement and crystallisation of the band's art. The sound is still subtle but more muscular in an utterly non bombastic way. Opener "Sleeping Ute" has a rhythmic snap which throws a nod to early Talking Heads or Wire but with the sheen of Mercury Rev's "Deserter Songs" or Beck's "Sea Change". The guitars on "Yet Again" still have the texture before but seem to sparkle more brightly and complement Ed Droste's wistful, sepia-toned voice.
Towards the end, "Shields" threatens to become a bit too "The Long and Winding Road" before the intriguing closer "Sun In Your Eyes" summon up the spirit of Plush's "More You Becomes You" and High Llamas' "Gideon Gaye".... Read more ›
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A nice second album
I loved the sound of Grizzly Bear's first album, Veckatimest, the laid back drawled vocals and stop start, gently plucked guitars were a very nice combo. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Brian Hamilton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Some really good tracks
Music is obviously subjective but I must say that I'm really impressed with this album. It's a permanent addition to my car now.
Published 2 months ago by Stuart
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Spice Must Flow
Well I don't know, but if they keep growing like this I think we could have another Radiohead on our hands :)
I love all four of their albums, but they just keep getting... Read more
I love all four of their albums, but they just keep getting... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Pen Name
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliance
I don't usually write reviews as I simply haven't the time, but I'll make an exception for this piece of brilliance. I wasn't sure what to expect and had some pre-listens online. Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. Nunn
4.0 out of 5 stars
Shields
Grizzly Bears have succeeded in surpassing Veckatimest by making an album with original songs with catchy yet not predictable songs . Well worth the buy .
Published 4 months ago by Hans Westerlaken
4.0 out of 5 stars
Shields: Grizzly Bear - Bears listening to
I have to say I loved this album from the jangly opening bars of Sleeping Ute. With their percussive guitar led indie rock style, beautifully produced to give a rich, textured... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Victor
3.0 out of 5 stars
Grizzly CD from The Bears
I quite like this band and was really looking forward to listening to this CD but have to say that I am a bit disappointed.
Published 5 months ago by SteveGG
5.0 out of 5 stars
Breathtaking
I've been a fan of Grizzly Bear since I first heard them on Warp Records sampler some years ago. They were, and are, one of the most original and stimulating bands around. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Adrian
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting but weird
I do think that Grizzly Bear take themselves too seriously. There are some great moments, but a lot of over earnest thrashing about and discords. Why did I buy the whole album?
Published 5 months ago by M. C. Prestage
3.0 out of 5 stars
Little Grizzly
Wanted to really like this after seeing them on ?Jools Holland but hasn't pressed my buttons.
I don't skip it when randomly selected but I don't seek it out either.
I don't skip it when randomly selected but I don't seek it out either.
Published 6 months ago by DR STEVE
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