VOA标准英语2011--Alt-Rock Band Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Alt-Rock Band Celebrates 10th Anniversary

The Seattle rock band Minus the Bear has spent a decade traveling together -- and recording¹ four albums in its own studio in Seattle. The band's recent album, Omni, changes the pattern. Minus the Bear released the recording just before going on a long tour across America to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

Members of the Seattle-based alternative rock band Minus the Bear have been together since their early 20s. The band is now celebrating its 10th anniversary, in a tour across the United States, by playing every track of its first full-length album Highly Refined Pirates.

Singer and band leader Jake Snider says the group has never played some of these songs in a live performance. "... and because a lot of them we don't play often. We represent now 30-year-old, mid-30s guys, as opposed to mid-20s guys," Snider noted².

And bass³ player Cory Murchy says it has been more fun than the group expected.

"There are a lot of… you know, it is a 10-year old, 9-year-old record. Feeding off of that energy from the crowd is amazing," Murchy added.

Critics have praised the band's fourth full-length album, Omni, for its balanced blend of alternative rock and hook-heavy pop music. Snider says striking that balance is "half the fun."

As with its other albums, Minus the Bear recorded Omni in its own studio in Seattle. But for the first time, group members brought in a seasoned producer to oversee⁴ the work. Their choice, Joe Chicarelli, has had great success in the past 30 years, shaping the sounds of many other alternative and pop rock bands.

"It was good," Snider said. "It was an interesting experience. It was humbling⁵ and it was completely different and difficult. And at the beginning of the record, the recording process was really interesting and really successful, getting the band's sound on record."

In the 10 years since Minus the Bear began working together, Internet and digital distribution of songs has changed the music industry. Murchy and Snider say the band members are learning as they go.

"It's definitely helped you know, for a fan to go and be able to look up a band and be able to basically access their full catalogue before they ever have to buy a record. It is pretty big for the consumer of music. They can decide whether they want to or not," said Murchy.

Snider added, "And it is hard to say over the past 10 years, growing with the changes that the music industry has gone through, what would be different if it was the same. Would we have this kind of fan base if there wasn't access to music digitally, or would it be bigger? You know, it is hard to say. But it's a lot more exposure than, say, the radio, or passing cassettes around in high school. It is just instant."

Jake Snider notes that Minus the Bear's talent for innovation is the result of five different brains working together. And Cory Murchy says the group never set out to have one particular sound. But even with the changes from one album to another, there is still a common thread that runs throughout the band's work.

1 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

2 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

3 bass   

n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴

参考例句：

• He answered my question in a surprisingly deep bass.他用一种低得出奇的声音回答我的问题。
• The bass was to give a concert in the park.那位男低音歌唱家将在公园中举行音乐会。

4 oversee   

vt.监督，管理

参考例句：

• Soldiers oversee the food handouts.士兵们看管着救济食品。
• Use a surveyor or architect to oversee and inspect the different stages of the work.请一位房产检视员或建筑师来监督并检查不同阶段的工作。

5 humbling   

adj.令人羞辱的v.使谦恭( humble的现在分词 )；轻松打败（尤指强大的对手）；低声下气

参考例句：

• A certain humbling from time to time is good. 不时受点儿屈辱是有好处的。 来自辞典例句
• It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-buildingexperience. 据说天文学是一种令人产生自卑、塑造人格的科学。 来自互联网