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Grizzly Bear: WXPN's May 2009 Artist to Watch

Upon first listen, the Brooklyn experimental pop/folk band Grizzly Bear grabs and doesn't let go. Here is real, accessible emotion and more than enough astounding talent to convey it. The group's spare acoustic melodies over plaintive piano figures and dusty strings with pop elements carry immense power.

Grizzly Bear was the name Edward Droste gave to his psychedelic home-recording experiments; the resulting album, 2004's Horn of Plenty, was only meant for some of his close friends, yet quickly tore through underground circles. The demand for the record was such that it was reissued as a double album in 2005, during which time the group expanded to include three additional members on guitar, reeds, and electronics. Grizzly Bear's second disc, Yellow House, was a broadened yet tight collection of gorgeous lo-fi that made indie-lovers around the world sit up and take notice. Their subsequent EP only bolstered their growing reputation - guests included Beirut, Band of Horses, and CSS.

Since then, Grizzly has been on an international must watch list, toured with Radiohead, collaborated with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and played at festivals such as SXSW and the Lollapalooza. Still, the group found time to create their third full-length album, the highly anticipated Veckatimest. Set for release on May 26, Veckatimest promises to be a compelling, eclectic experience. Grizzly's deft talent for pulling together genres and emotions in a tangibly real way is more evident than ever. Artsy and full of delirious musical arrangements, Grizzly Bear are pushing pop's musical boundaries like few other modern indie-rock bands - epitomizing the very best of their genre. And for this reason, XPN chooses Grizzly Bear as its latest Artist to Watch.

Website: grizzly-bear.net
MySpace: myspace.com/grizzlybear
Origin: Brooklyn, NY
Recent Release:
Veckatimest
Release Date: May 26, 2009
Label: Warp