Polar Bear | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1 September 2008 | |||
Studio | Miloco Pool Studio | |||
Genre | Jazz | |||
Length | 72:00 | |||
Label | Tin Angel and The Leaf Label | |||
Producer | Sebastian Rochford and Mark Rankin | |||
Polar Bear chronology | ||||
|
Polar Bear is the third album by Sebastian Rochford's British jazz band, Polar Bear.
According to the band, they spent "a lot of time" recording Polar Bear; Seb Rochford stating that he wanted the album "to have the saxes not so much soloing, but more interacting with (Leafcutter) John, and it took a while for everyone to get their heads round improvising in that way".[1]
The album was initially released on Tin Angel in 2008, but was re-issued by The Leaf Label in 2014.[2]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 72/100[3] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
BBC | Positive[4] |
Drowned in Sound | 8/10[5] |
The Guardian | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Observer | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
On the Metacritic website, which aggregates reviews from critics and assigns a normalised rating out of 100, Peepers received a score of 72, based on 1 mixed and 3 positive reviews.[3] Drowned in Sound praised the album's "seamless motion and playful interplay" and "sheer musical pleasure", awarding it 8/10.[5] The BBC called it a "triumph" in their review, calling Polar Bear "a fine record".[4] The Guardian write that Rochford is a "proper jazz composer, whose themes are spare, colourful and strong enough to frame and support extensive improvisation from his talented crew and guests" and call the album "brilliant".[6] The Observer are less impressed, writing that "this is a band running out of ideas", calling Polar Bear "good in small doses".[7] Ultimately, the album did not receive the same press as the previous album, Held on the Tips Of Fingers, which had gained extra media attention after being shortlisted for a Mercury Music Prize.
All music is composed by Rochford, except 4 & 13 by Rochford, Lockheart, Wareham, Burton & Herbert and 11 by Rochford, Burton, Herbert & Laubrook
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Tay" | 4:48 |
2. | "Goodbye" | 7:59 |
3. | "Appears, Moves and Sails" | 6:31 |
4. | "Tomlovesalicelovestom" | 6:02 |
5. | "Voices" | 5:53 |
6. | "Industry" | 3:39 |
7. | "Brian" | 7:06 |
8. | "Sunshine" | 4:42 |
9. | "Leafcup" | 8:11 |
10. | "It Snows Again" | 5:00 |
11. | "Sounds Like a Train to Me" | 2:39 |
12. | "I Am Alive" | 4:55 |
13. | "Woollen Blanket" | 2:14 |
14. | "Joy Jones" | 5:28 |