Reviews & Press Photos

October 26th, 2020

Some Party Review – Adam White

Witty Hamilton indie rockers Water Bear have a new single online dubbed “Blanket Fort.” It’s the second new recording from the group as part of their isolation Home Recordings set, following “Smile and Nod” from earlier in the summer. The cheeky tune pairs verses steeped in the grungy 90s with a snotty punk chorus. Perhaps unique in the songs ever covered by this newsletter, it’s also 100% about building a blanket fort as the title suggests. Check it out on Bandcamp.

Water Bear features drums and vocals from Craig Macdonald, bass from Jim Curtis, and guitars and vocals from both Alex T and Tom Dusome.
https://www.someparty.ca/2020-08-09-they-tried-to-make-me-a-punk/?fbclid=IwAR1Gbvr6j9qbxYAnqKbWbB-VHkcSkP9GPE2mo-h-auZ-b5203QmP3Mg6DUQ

Radio Airplay Review – Jon Wright
Overall Impression:
First of all, fantastic band name/song image – I’m already a huge fan!  Water Bear breaks new ground with a familiar and nostalgic tone in their song Keep Comin’ Back – and that hook is sure to keep you comin’ back for another listen!  The lead vocals are so perfectly reminiscent of that mid 90’s sound some of us have grown up loving, and the instrumentation supports it all flawlessly.
Strongest Point(s):
Hell yeah, whistle solo!  We need more of that in this genre – melodies delivered like a shot to the arm with a side of whimsey. Excellent guitar work, I’m really into the chords at 2:40. The energy flow into that bridge before the above mentioned whistle solo is spot on!  Nothing in this track feels out of place – and it certainly doesn’t seem like there are any missed opportunities for musicality.  Excellent work!
Area(s) of Improvement:
This song is so good, but in my headphones the mix feels a bit weak.  There’s what sounds to be some clipping in the drum track and it’s giving a more two-dimensional sound to the song than it should.  Nothing major, but some of the vocal notes you hit could use a little more breath support to carry out the end of the phrase, like the word “place” at 2:20 – it’s just missing a little “oomph” is all.
Target Audience Appeal:
Anybody who grew up loving BNL, Blind Melon, Smashing Pumpkins, or the like will absolutely love this sound.  Keep Comin’ Back has a sound that is both brilliantly unique and endearingly familiar – and Water Bear stands to make its mark on listeners everywhere!  Great work!
Artist target suggestions:
Barenaked Ladies, They Might Be Giants, Blind Melon, Harvey Danger, Smashing Pumpkins, Weezer, The Weakerthans, The Mountain Goats, Green Day, Soundgarden
About the Reviewer:
Jon Wright is a classically trained multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and music educator with nearly twenty years of experience in the field. Working with musicians and their individual sounds is his passion and profession, and he strives to interact with and understand every aspect of the production process – from theory and songwriting to recording and mastering. He continues to teach students of all ages and is currently collaborating with artists in a wide variety of genres.

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