Musical Thesis: Bear's Den "Red Earth and Pouring Rain"
At the center of every album is a musical thesis. On “Red Earth and Pouring Rain,” Bear’s Den sing tales about life and some of its grandest trials. First, they attempt to tackle love lost. This is an easy one to relate to because most of us have been there. In our past, there is one person we gave our best or wish we had. What we’ve been left with is a sense of regret and longing; longing for what might have been if life had turned out differently.
Next, they tackle this idea of “getting there.” On the surface, this concept may seem overly simplistic. In practice and in life, it is the most complicated thing we do. It is the vision we have for ourselves. It is what we want to become. It is our successes, trials, failures, and triumphs all rolled up together. It is our life and it is a quest that is never satisfied until we are laid to rest. Such a notion is daunting for any band to try and wrestle inside the confines of a four-minute song. For their attempt, Bear’s Den should be commended.
Finally, for me, this is an album about the truth and who is holding it. We tell ourselves stories. We tell each other stories. We lie. We tell the truth. We stretch and patch holes when necessary. The words in those stories matter. They say something about ourselves and those around us. Our reaction to them uncovers even more. This notion of truth is also another one of these grand quests that are never satisfied but it is an idea every artist chases.
Be good to each other,
-Nathan
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