Maybe a lesson to be learned here. The last two Band(camp) of the Week artists I’ve discovered have been because of Blind Melon, or, rather, I should say because I’ve plugged “Blind Melon” in my Google Alerts. This week’s artist is The Bear Romantic, which is really the solo/acoustic project of Jesse Clasen, who fronts another band called Harvard.
In a review on the Creative Loafing website, the writer said that, “Clasen has a unique, nearly-falsetto vocal style that often reminds me of the late Blind Melon singer Shannon Hoon.” And that’s what caused a link to the article to show up in my Google Alerts.
I’m not sure I’d agree that Clasen sounds like Hoon – more like Jeremy Enigk (Sunny Day Real Estate) or Aaron Sprinkle (Fair) in my opinion. Interestingly enough, both of those guys have had success in “rock”-type bands but have made beautiful solo albums as well.
The Bear Romantic’s “Firewood” is available digitally for $4. I really can’t get enough of the CD, it’s been on constant rotation late in the evenings around Atomic Ned headquarters.
Guy sounds like Andy Dick!
Nice minimalist approach, but with some tasty harmonic changes just when you need ’em.