Polar Bear is the third album by Sebastian Rochford's British jazz band, Polar Bear.
Background
According to the band, they spent "a lot of time" recording Polar Bear; Seb Rochford stating that he wanted the album "to have the saxes not so much soloing, but more interacting with (Leafcutter) John, and it took a while for everyone to get their heads round improvising in that way".[1]
The album was initially released on Tin Angel in 2008, but was re-issued by The Leaf Label in 2014.[2]
Critical reception
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 72/100[3] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| BBC | Positive[4] |
| Drowned in Sound | 8/10[5] |
| The Guardian |   [6] |
| The Observer | [7] |
On the Metacritic website, which aggregates reviews from critics and assigns a normalised rating out of 100, Peepers received a score of 72, based on 1 mixed and 3 positive reviews.[3] Drowned in Sound praised the album's "seamless motion and playful interplay" and "sheer musical pleasure", awarding it 8/10.[5] The BBC called it a "triumph" in their review, calling Polar Bear "a fine record".[4] The Guardian write that Rochford is a "proper jazz composer, whose themes are spare, colourful and strong enough to frame and support extensive improvisation from his talented crew and guests" and call the album "brilliant".[6] The Observer are less impressed, writing that "this is a band running out of ideas", calling Polar Bear "good in small doses".[7] Ultimately, the album did not receive the same press as the previous album, Held on the Tips Of Fingers, which had gained extra media attention after being shortlisted for a Mercury Music Prize.
Track listing
All music is composed by Rochford, except 4 & 13 by Rochford, Lockheart, Wareham, Burton & Herbert and 11 by Rochford, Burton, Herbert & Laubrook
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Tay" | 4:48 |
| 2. | "Goodbye" | 7:59 |
| 3. | "Appears, Moves and Sails" | 6:31 |
| 4. | "Tomlovesalicelovestom" | 6:02 |
| 5. | "Voices" | 5:53 |
| 6. | "Industry" | 3:39 |
| 7. | "Brian" | 7:06 |
| 8. | "Sunshine" | 4:42 |
| 9. | "Leafcup" | 8:11 |
| 10. | "It Snows Again" | 5:00 |
| 11. | "Sounds Like a Train to Me" | 2:39 |
| 12. | "I Am Alive" | 4:55 |
| 13. | "Woollen Blanket" | 2:14 |
| 14. | "Joy Jones" | 5:28 |
Personnel
Polar Bear
- Pete Wareham – tenor saxophone
- Mark Lockheart – tenor saxophone
- Sebastian Rochford – drums, bass (13)
- Tom Herbert – double bass, drums (13)
- Leafcutter John – electronics, mandolin, kalimba, glass, bowed cymbal, samples and balloon
Additional musicians
- Julia Biel – vocals (7 and 8)
- Ben Davis – cello (8)
- Amanda Drummond – viola (12)
- Brian Edwards – tenor saxophone (7)
- Ingrid Laubrock – tenor saxophone (11)
References
- ^ Gibb, Rory (15 December 2010). "DiS Meets Polar Bear's Seb Rochford". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 28 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
- ^ "Polar Bear Album Reissues". The Leaf Label. December 8, 2014. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
- ^ a b "Polar Bear by Polar Bear". Metacritic. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
- ^ a b "Polar Bear, Polar Bear: Review". BBC Music. July 14, 2008. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
- ^ a b "Polar Bear, Polar Bear". Drowned in Sound. July 27, 2008. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
- ^ a b Walters, John L (11 July 2008). "Polar Bear, Polar Bear". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
- ^ a b Nicholson, Stuart (10 August 2008). "Jazz review: Polar Bear, Polar Bear". The Observer. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
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