Generally speaking a band comprised of dudes, some of which sport beards, is a good sign. As in the case of North Michigan’s Bear Lake, it totally works. From their look I was expecting a kind of Broken Social Scene shoegaze rock, but Bear lake take it in a much more peppy, upbeat direction, more akin to the Shins or Heatmiser-era Elliott Smith on the happy meds. The group’s beenfriends since kindergarten, and listening to their entwining noises, the chemistry is palpable. The band’s multiple singers and (presumably) multiple songwriters makes for pleasantly divergent, yet complimentary indie-pop-rock. Mixing electronic drums with standard kit and layering multiple electric and acoustic guitars and keyboards with well-placed backup vocals and effects results in a real wall of sound that tickles the ears just right.

Instrumentation:
Keith May (Bass/Vox; 26), Steve Stetson (Drums; 25), Matt Hines (Lead Vox; 26), Jon Rice (Rhythm Guitar/Vox; 26), Brian Kwasnik (Piano/Vox; 26)

Discography
“Catch the Sun” Copyright Bear Lake Music 2007

From the sounds on their MySpace Page, you should definitely investigate Bear Lake and consider picking up a copy of Catch The Sun. And for the record, me selecting Bear Lake as our Band of the Day has almost nothing to do with similar nomenclature to a certain band dear to our heart.

With a name as “blah” as Bear Lake, you’d better conjure up some mighty musicality as contrast. This Northern Michigan-based eight-piece ensemble purveys a vibrant, pulsing rock groove, calling to mind such atmospheric collectives as The Flaming Lips (if only they were more sinister), Muse (if their singer didn’t boast a boat engine vibrato) or Creeper Lagoon (if only they’d kept their lineup intact).

Lush harmonies come by way of Keith May (Bass/Vox), Steve Stetson (Drums), Matt Hines (Lead Vox), Peter LeClair (Lead Guitar/Lead Vox), Jon Rice (Rhythm Guitar/Vox), Brian Kwasnik (Piano/Vox) and Carmen Paradise (Vox/Percussion), lifting what might be ordinarily redundant tunes about city life versus nature dwelling into lulling, hypnotic opuses for pop fans.
There’s a lot of good things about this band, and I don’t suppose they’d care to hear that although they do have a great sound, it’s a smidge overdone. Regardless, you can’t front on a song as instantly danceable as “Catch The Sun.”

Come play in Chico!

Check out the band’s MySpace page at myspace.com/bearlakemusic.