Sometime around 2003 I received a phone call from an old friend telling me about an amazing band he had recently seen called Minus the Bear. From his description, I knew at once that I would be equally as enthusiastic about their music. I ran out and bought the only Minus the Bear CD I could find, the 2002 release, This Is What I Know About Being Gigantic EP. The album-featured fun titles like “Hey, Wanna Throw Up? Get Me Naked” and “Pantsuit...Uggghhh” which well suited the band’s sound. Minus the Bear crafted intensely distinct textured guitar work, clever lyrics, ambient keyboard work, and completed the package with unique time signatures that set them apart from their peers.

Since their first EP, Seattle’s Minus the Bear have grown into a more mature band while maintaining the quirkiness their fans embrace. That is until the newest album, OMNI, set for release on May 4th. Minus the Bear’s fourth full length, but first CD on Dangerbird Records, is produced by Grammy award winning Joe Chiccarelli who is known for his work with bands such as The White Stripes and My Morning Jacket.

The word omni, derived from the Latin for “all”, seems appropriate as it appears that Minus the Bear are attempting to grow their audience by including something for everyone. While a well intended idea, one of Minus the Bear's key components is missing on OMNI. Singer Jake Snider’s typically witty lyrics, have been replaced by cheesy lines like “She is a wolf looking through my window” on the exceptionally synth driven track, "Animal backwards". During the almost laughable funk/disco song “The Thief”, Snider sappily proclaims “I want to steal you like a pearl. I want to steal you like a diamond”.

Missing also on OMNI are the signature fretboard tapping ambient guitar lines that adorned past Minus the Bear releases. That is not to say that the guitars are disappointing, just different. Snider and lead guitarist Dave Knudson opts for a more ethereal, warm tone than usual. At times this new sound works in their favor on dance tracks such as “Into the Mirror” and the moody last track “Fooled by the Night”. Much of the album Knudson chooses to neglect guitar in favor of an instrument called an omnichord (the real origin of the album name). This is the case on Omni’s first single “My Time”, which would fit perfectly on one of this summer’s smash teen romance movies.

It is no surprise to anyone that a bands sound will change and blossom over the span of an eight years. Minus the Bear’s sound has been evolving since 2005’s Menos El Oso and they appear to have arrived at their destination. In opting for a new sound that will make them more palatable to the masses, I would not be surprised if they will find that they alienate some of their long-time fans. This album will likely find its way into the hearts of people who think Modest Mouse and Death Cab for Cutie have only been around for a few years, thereby missing out on a full catalog of fun music. Omni is a good summertime CD but will most certainly fall by the wayside soon after.