Synthesis Band You’ve Never Heard Of Band of the Day: Bear Lake

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.

Tags: Bear Lake, Catch The Sun, Creeper Lagoon, Flaming Lips, Muse