Shields works better if you listen in a linear fashion (thatвЂ™s right kids, from tracks 1 through to 10 вЂ“ in order) to become part of the journey of highs and lows, pop stomps to reflective soundscapes.ДЄs main man Ed Droste says вЂњVeckatimest was a little more of a polite album the desire to keep the vocals smooth might have kept a little distance between us and the audience. Yet, this album melts the ephemeral qualities of Yellow House (their 2 nd album) with the more intuitive Veckatimest. Their new offering Shields, maintains Grizzly BearsвЂ™ signature sound, from their fragile build and sustain symphonies to their multi-directional вЂooh ahh oohsвЂ™ that underpin most songs. Pad gently forward to today and the question is whether Grizzly Bear move further into chamber folk/pop realms (like Fleet Foxes did with their follow up album) or go off-piste entirely? Perhaps inspired by Radiohead (Grizzly Bear opened for them on tour in 2008), they have chosen to push the envelope by stealth instead.

Hell, they even released the single вЂWhile you Wait for the OthersвЂ™ with 80вЂ™s pop legend Michael McDonald performing guest vocals with astounding consequences (great to rediscover those pipes). Thanks to Grizzly Bear and a minor bonanza of like-minded US bands such as Midlake and Fleet Foxes emerging that year: alt-folk had become fashionable. Their distinctive sound reached the fervent gig goer, the regular festival fan and even the sporadic music buyer. Three years ago Grizzly Bear broke through the back of the wardrobe into radio-friendly land with their third album Veckatimest.

Grizzly bear shields album