Minus the Bear, 'My Time' -- Song Premiere
- Posted on Mar 3rd 2010 2:15PM by Justin Jacobs
- Comments (68)

"I got this weird Japanese Omnichord synthesizer, and we wrote a song around it. It's got drumbeats and different instrument sounds. It's got this weird Nintendo-y sound," Knudson tells Spinner. "Odd little piece of gear, but it's cool to be able to write a Minus the Bear song without me playing guitar."
The Omnichord -- manufactured in 1981 -- gives 'My Time' a shiny, vintage dance-pop sound, and it's not the only new trick up the Bear's sleeve. Produced by Joe Chiccarelli (White Stripes, My Morning Jacket) over a four-month period last year, Omni finds the band exploring its style like no album prior; it's Minus the Bear's most accessible and experimental effort yet.
"We all love 'Planet of Ice' in all of it's awesome prog-wankery," says Knudson of the band's 2007 LP. "But this record's got more of a groove to it. The tempos aren't frantic and locked in solid, with more of an R&B feel."
But Minus the Bear haven't quite gone Marvin Gaye; the band is still as effects-happy as ever, and each tune on 'Omni,' though tighter and more focused, will still spin heads and warp minds.
The album ranges from the hard-bounce of 'Secret Country,' which Knudson calls "the heaviest thing we've ever recorded," to the swooning neon sprawl of 'Dayglow Vista Rd.' with its chorus of "Everybody's gotta shine on." The album's veritable rainbow of sounds and styles is described best, Knudson says, by its title.
"The name of the record is what it is -- it's everything and nothing, our feeling like we captured a different side of us," he says. "We weren't trying to limit ourselves by any specific style or genre."
Nowhere does Minus the Bear shed any shell of a genre more than on the consecutive tracks 'Into the Mirror' and 'Animal Backwards.' Like a carnival mirror, the latter is a twisted, remixed and chopped up reflection of the former.
"There are three different guitar samples on 'Into the Mirror.' Those three samples are just played backwards in 'Animal Backwards,'" Knudson says. "If you listen to 'Animal' backwards, you'll hear the guitar of 'Mirror' forwards."
While the Omnichord occupied Knudson on 'My Time,' his guitar trickery remains at the core of the album; having collected more and more effects pedals as Minus the Bear's career trucks along, Knudson says he's "learned how to integrate myself with the pedals. I know how to manipulate the pedal, because sometimes the way you're not supposed to use it is the coolest way to use it."
Still, keeping track of his cache of guitar pedals onstage when the band tours behind 'Omni' may prove difficult.
"It'll be like playing 'Dance Dance Revolution' up there," Knudson says.
Check out 'My Time' below.





Reader Comments(1 of 4)
Kipdat 3-04-2010
Wow. I'm legitimately scared for this album. Minus the bear is my favorite band, based on their albums up to Acoustics, but this is just... I don't know what to call it. synth happy? ridiculous? If the rest of the album is like this, i might give it a solid 1.5 stars :(
whuddupat 3-03-2010
@Kipd seriously, you find Planet of Ice better than this song? i for one am very excited for MTB's new direction, and can't wait to get the whole album. im expecting 5 star work.
Germat 3-03-2010
@kipd, you clearly didn't read the article. it's a japanese omnichord. when a band comes out with something new that they put hard work and passion into, it needs to be respected. especially if you claim to be a fan of said band.
Thom Larsenat 3-03-2010
"when a band comes out with something new that they put hard work and passion into, it needs to be respected. especially if you claim to be a fan of said band."
@Germ. Your argument is whats wrong with music listeners. You like something just because a band you are a fan of the band? Where is your critical music listening skills? I'm a Minus the Bear fan. I'm not so stocked on this new single, and i don't have to be. I still like the band, but I don't have to like ever song they write. I hear you Kipd.
Veronicaat 3-03-2010
Like the article says, they composed this song around the omnichord, in other words greatly emphasizing by putting it in place of the usual guitar parts...A lot of Minus the Bear's signature sound has to do with their unique guitar riffs. I understand your being unsettled by this new sound, but also recognize the fact that this song is the only one that will have this key element of MTB completely replaced.
Dibraptureat 3-03-2010
"While the Omnichord occupied Knudson on 'My Time,' his guitar trickery remains at the core of the album; having collected more and more effects pedals as Minus the Bear's career trucks along, Knudson says he's "learned how to integrate myself with the pedals. I know how to manipulate the pedal, because sometimes the way you're not supposed to use it is the coolest way to use it.""
like the article says the rest of the album still has the minus the bear flavor we all love! Personally i am not huge on this song but i still like it! is it just me or does it kind of sound like under the influence of giants?
BKEat 3-04-2010
I agree with wuudup except for the Planet Ice comment (that was a dope album). But I do think the new album is going to be amazing just like their previous work. Honestly the band is so amazing that I'm willing to put myself out there and say that they don't know how to make crappy music. They're always looking for a way to top themselves and I cannot wait til May 4 to listen to 'Omni'
Tree Is Legendat 3-04-2010
Seriously, are you retarded? Dave stated he wrote ONE song around this, therefore no Dave on guitar = a lot missing from a typical MTB song. It's still great, and you are still stupid and have poor reading comprehension.
Wordsworthat 3-04-2010
I understand your trepidation towards 'My Time' - but if this song alone can make you scared about this album, how can Into the Mirror not make you stoked about it?
I guess my point is that Into the Mirror is a much better song than this is a bad one.
Germat 3-04-2010
@Thom Larsen, i am hardly saying you should automatically love something just because a band you are a fan of put it out. but there is nothing wrong with this new sound, nor my "critical music listening skills". it's different. not bad. and that's why it should be respected, regardless.
Kipdat 3-04-2010
In response to everyone's comments:
I currently have 43 MTB songs on my ipod, at least one from every album, not including the random remixes here and there. I don't care how japanese their omnichord is. I just don't like the song. I don't really like Into the Mirror either, after listening to it many times. Broken China is good, not their best. My favorite thing about MTB is how they can take a guitar and turn it into about a million different sounds using the pedals, like in The Fix, or Drilling, or Knights. This just didn't have that. and the guitar in Into the Mirror is just cheesey I felt. Leave the heavy synth and weird N*sync sounding vocals to the radio, I just want another polished quality album like Menos el Oso, or Planet of Ice. I just don't wanna see another one of my favorite bands become garbage.
neuma7at 3-04-2010
is it just me or can anyone else hear the similarity between this song and the McDonalds nintendo game. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7j3XM2Xcvw
Studat 3-03-2010
This album is gonna be so legit. I'm freakin stoked BROS.
and Kipd, how can you honestly call yourself a fan? Have you even heard into the mirror or broken china yet, let alone even read the article? How can you say that you want one of the most creative bands ever to "play it safe"? It's all about improving the current formula WHILE trying out new things. Even then, Broken China and Into the Mirror both do not have "synth poppy" sounds to them.....so why would you assume that the whole record would?
buried_luckat 3-03-2010
yeah i don't know what you are talking about, MtB is my favorite band as well and i think this song is sick. Though its a long way from my favorite album, Highly Refined Pirates, I still think that their new stuff is going to be awesome!
ahrenlanforat 3-03-2010
oh hell yesssss. this rad!!!
jimat 3-03-2010
@kipd its a japanese omnichord you duckhead. MTB dont need fans like you gtfo
Noochat 3-03-2010
This song is badass!!! Just like the other two singles from this album that have been released so far. I am very stoked for this album...Can't wait for the album to drop on May 4th!!!!
D.at 3-03-2010
Yo, I love MTB! They are probably the most original band I have ever heard. I'm a die hard fan. I love all of their albums. There are some songs that I like less than other. About the new album: I'm not too sure how it will be. Since it is MTB I will be optimistic. I love how Planet of Ice was jammy and heavy with sweet melodies; if the new album is like that mixed with a Pig War, Pacuca Sunrise sound then I will be so so so happy! I just don't want it to all be synth and electronic dance music! Hopefully it is a good mix! Cheers!
D.at 3-03-2010
Yo, I love MTB! They are probably the most original band I have ever heard. I'm a die hard fan. I love all of their albums. There are some songs that I like less than other. About the new album: I'm not too sure how it will be. Since it is MTB I will be optimistic. I love how Planet of Ice was jammy and heavy with sweet melodies; if the new album is like that mixed with a Pig War, Pacuca Sunrise sound then I will be so so so happy! I just don't want it to all be synth and electronic dance music! Hopefully it is a good mix! Cheers!
mdtatownat 3-03-2010
I'm super excited for this new album, although the Omni-synth is going to be an odd sound after being so used to the familiar dissonant guitars. you gotta love the atypical-ness of minus the bear as a group though, its what makes them different from everyone else out there.