Golden Bear

Alive (C-Side)

Golden Bear thrives on bombastic but inviting energy, ambitious in sound but warmly ramshackle and optimistic in ethos. Following the cosmic tour of 2007 sophomore effort To the Farthest Star, the local quintet went into hibernation, which makes its tight return on Alive all the more thrilling. Beginning with the first blared chords of opener “The Juggernaut,” GB pounces aggressively and precisely, while producer Danny Reisch couches Chris Gregory’s typically grizzled vocals in effects that serve that sound well. “Promise Not To Tell” bursts with epic percussion, and Matt Gardiner’s keyboard likewise pulses with power on the swirling turns of “The Ruin.” Cutting the familiar Golden Bear melodic surge with a harder edge, “Prospect Park” serves as the standout, while “All Your Lucky Days” hammers grandeur in sharply punched rhythms. Big guitars, spiraling piano runs, brazen lyrics: Golden Bear roars.

***.5

This article appears in The 1%.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.