If you know me, you know my favorite band is Grizzly Bear, so I’m saying a lot about them today. They’ve been featured everywhere — so if you haven’t heard the pianos of “Two Weeks” in commercials by now or noticed that they’ve been on the New Moon soundtrack (which in their defense, features other great artists), then count yourself among the fortunate few that avoids the mainstream. If you haven’t heard of them at all, then that is in fact a problem.
Grizzly Bear was just primary singer/songwriter Ed Droste when he dropped Horn of Plenty in 2004. Rounding out to a four-piece band after that — one of those members being co-singer/songwriter Daniel Rossen of Department of Eagles, the band started getting truly amazing with the release of Yellow House. Yellow House was named after the literal yellow house that they recorded. Their third album, Veckatimest, was similarly named after Veckatimest Island in Massachusetts where they recorded, and features the biggest indie single of 2009, “Two Weeks.” These albums sound like an indie rock mini-orchestra, with all of the members capable of playing a variety of instruments.
The interesting thing is the contrast of the two songwriters. Ed’s songs are usually more straightforward and to the point (“Knife”, “Fix It”) while Daniel’s songs are epic and climaxing (“Southern Point”, “On a Neck, On A Spit”). Yet, both styles have a place on their albums.
Grizzly Bear - Lullabye (Rossen)
- Ryan
