Polar Bear Club – Clash Battle Guilt Pride – Review

You should have known that with mountains of growing hype, telling features in national music magazines (AltPress etc), and a truck-load of persistent, growing talent, that you would be seeing more of the Rochester, NY five-piece Polar Bear Club, sooner rather than later. Their breakout sophomore effort “Chasing Hamburg” even got our attention, leaving us to label it as “a nice surprise for 2009″ and “In the shadow of the rest, Polar Bear Club has managed to progress unabated and release a record that has genuine talent and infectious music all in one.” So when we heard the hardcore/indie outfit was dropping off a few tour dates to enter Salad Days Studio and record with producer Brian McTernan, we were eager to hear a few new PBC tracks. The result of which was the eleven track, Bridge 9 Records-backed, full-length entitled, “Clash Battle Guilt Pride.“

It was to be expected that Polar Bear Club was going to up the ante with this new record, but not until I listened the album opener “Prawner,” did I realize just how “all in” the band chose to go. Patient harmonized bars sung to the tune of a lone echoed guitar while reappearing drums and pianos clash and resonate, as this slow song builds to its launched rock apex. Leading us right into the anthem-shouts and catchy riffage of “Killin’ It,” which sets a very Set Your Goals-esque vibe thanks to Jimmy’s craggy vocals and all of the “Whoa Ah Oh Whoa Oh” chants — a very nice fit with the playful punk sound. We learn early on that “Clash Battle Guilt Pride” has ditched the bands familiar, rough-exteriored, post-hardcore stature for a more evolved, introspective, indie rock — showcasing significant musical and emotional growth for the band — which can be seen in the basic but moving lyrics on “My Best Days“, “I’ve been scrapped and I’ve been bruised. I never had a love like this to lose.”

After all of the ballsy gusto from previous Polar Bear Club records had been held fast in the background of this one, in favor of the polished, delay effects pedal party, I was a little worried the band had “gone soft.” Even Jimmy’s normally abrasive lead vocals seems a little smoothed over, either through better vocal instruction or singing harmony help from his cohort, guitarist Erik Henning. Either way, for better or worse, the musical rough edges from years past has been child-proofed and spit shined for “Clash Battle Guilt Pride.” Luckily the bands appreciation for quick fretwork isn’t ignored this time around, leading to some technical displays on “Bottled Wind” and the shifting riffs of “Life Between The Lines.”

This matured effort has cemented the band’s promising future – lessening the listening curve that came with making occasional hardcore tracks by buffing their music to a solely melodic punk/indie rock shine. Where “Chasing Hamburg” started, “Clash Battle Guilt Pride” has revealed a more modest and emotionally yielding side of the band than seen previously. Along with more diligent song writing, intricate strings and an entrancing atmosphere through out, I wouldn’t change a thing. Ok, maybe making Jimmy stop smoking or drinking chocolate milk before he records would be on the list, but there’s little else. [Staff]

Score: 4 (out of 5)

Release Date: September 13th, 2011
Record Label: Bridge Nine Records
Genre: Melodic Punk/Indie Rock

RIYL: Living With Lions, Set Your Goals, Fireworks

Track Listing:
1. Pawner
2. Killin It
3. Screams in Caves
4. Kneel on Nails
5. My Best Days
6. Life Between the Lines
7. I’ll Never Leave New York
8. Bottled Wind
9. Slow Roam
10. Religion on the Radio
11. 3-4 Tango