Car Caught Fire

The Bears are Adrian Belew, Chris Arduser, Rob Fetters, and Bob Nyswonger. They've been around since 1985 and have released 3 studio and one live album. In between albums, Adrian has released 12 solo albums, 10 King Crimson albums, and guested on/produced dozens of others by artists such as Paul Simon, Jars of Clay, Tori Amos, and Cyndi Lauper, and Mariah Carey. Rob, Bob, and Chris are also known as the Psychodots and have released 4 excellent albums as well. Strong pop sensibilities with their own particular twist, and of course brilliant yet understated guitar work.

If you aren't familiar with the Bears, or Belew, they specialize in creating pop hooks about everyday things. Songs that everyone can relate to. The tracks on Car Caught Fire are for the most part upbeat, the sorts of things you would expect to hear during the credits of a road movie. Songs about love and happiness, a perfect day, the tyranny of the control freak, betrayal, self doubt, and nostalgia. Almost anthemic at times, but with restraint and subtlety, this is one of my favorite albums of the last year.

Hot Spots: What's the Good of Knowing, When She Moves, Safe in Hell, Sooner Or Later, As You Are, Life In A Nutshell.